Children's Play in Education

This week, we delved into play theories, moving beyond rote learning to engage in a vibrant mix of expression, exploration, and entertainment. We were tasked with creating a game show to present these theories, and to my astonishment people came up with very innovative ideas to showcase the play theories.  Various theories were explained through panel discussions, quizzes, presentations, role plays, and debates. I was impressed with how my friends brought the theories to life. Participating in quizzes and watching them illustrate each play theory provided a clear understanding of their implications in teaching.  My friends and I presented Mildred Parten's theory, which focuses on social developmental levels, and we truly enjoyed showcasing it through role play. I portrayed a dedicated teacher in search of the best play theory, while my friends depicted Parten and a well-known psychologist advocating for Parten’s theory as the best.  The quiz on Skovbjerg's theory, the deb...

With age came responsibilities and I just forgot the essence of play. I recall play was such a wonderful activity which I enjoyed being emotionally, mentally, and physically engaged. It was filled with intrinsic motivation, which now I struggle to find a lot in many activities. Maybe now I am an adult, no play exists in my life except work. Being a child has it's own luxury, the luxury to play. Back then I didn't mind being adventurous and taking risk. It was all about the process and now all I find is work which demands reasonable risk and best outcome. So, why did I stop playing? I discovered the answer after my third session in EAS409. The growing age provided me duties. It was the end of delight and intrinsic motivation when I lost the autonomy to choose what I wanted to play, and grownups told me that playing is not learning. To learn, I need to get a book. I guess that's why I stopped playing. This reflection made me understand how factors such as chronological age, i...

When I was a little child, I would always pick pretend play above other plays. One of my favourite pretend play memories is when I was seven years old and played the role of a teacher. I remember how I used cardboard as a greenboard and charcoal as my chalk, even though it left my hands dirty and black. I gave my friends the old magazine pages to copy the misspelt and nonsensical words from the cardboard that I scribbled with all the confidence I had as a teacher. It seems funny that my friends followed all of my instructions, just like the students do in the class. Then I corrected their incomprehensible handwriting as though I knew it all. I also made comments and gave stars which my friends loved just as much as I did pretending to be a teacher. When I reflect on this play memory, it seems to me that I have manifested my future self or it was an indication that I would actually become a teacher, which is why I find it so significant.  Looking back, that simple act of pretend pla...