Chapter 2 - Intro to Play

Question 1

What is free choice?

Answer 1

the freedom to participate and the freedom from obligation set the stage that helps create a state of mind that allows the individual to feel playful

the engagement should be voluntary so that the players are not responding to external demands

Question 2

What is internal locus of control?

Answer 2

Internal locus of control is the degree to which the players feel in control of their behaviours and the outcomes they experience.

a player with a high internal locus of control perceives that he/she has control of his/her behaviour and destiny, while a person with a high EXTERNAL locus of control perceives that the outcomes in his/her life are beyond his/her control and rest with fate or the power of others.

Question 3

What is intrinsic motivation?

Answer 3

Intrinsic motivation is a driving force to engage in the play behaviour or activity. In other words, play is engaged in for “its own sake” for the purpose of pleasure for the player. the play is self-satisfying.

Question 4

What is play?

Answer 4

Researchers agree on the value of play but cannot agree on a definition of play, which has resulted in multiple definitions of play, and therefore, play is inadequately defined.

play is not synonymous with entertainment, games, sports, recreation or leisure. the challenge is to provide a definition of play that is broad, not restrictive; the definition should focus on the “state of being” of the player instead of specific activities

Question 5

What is positive affect?

Answer 5

play provides the player with positive experience and enjoyment, play is pleasurable; in providing a positive affect it does not matter if the play is serious or frivolous

Question 6

What is process over product?

Answer 6

process over product stresses that the goal of play is the activity itself (or the pleasure from the activity); the end result, or the product are secondary concerns for the player. JACOB LEVY “only in play can we totally commit ourselves to the goal that minutes later is forgotten or irrelevant”

Question 7

What are the 6 play theories?

Answer 7

1. Surplus energy theory
2. Recreation theory
3. Recapitulation theory
4. Practice Theory
5. Psychoanalytic Theory
6. Cognitive theory

Question 8

What is the surplus energy theory?

Answer 8

The surplus energy theory explains that living creatures generate energy for survival and after survival needs are satisfied, there can be leftover energy. Leftover or surplus energy builds up and must be released, and it is through play that animals rid themselves of this excess energy. developed by poet SCHILLER, and philosopher, SPENCER

Question 9

What is the recreation theory?

Answer 9

people play for the benefit of restoring energy used in work. there are two ways to restore lost energy, one method is through sleep and the second method is by engaging in play. The surplus energy theory and the recreation theory contradict one another.

Question 10

What is the recapitulation theory?

Answer 10

derived from the development of the human embryo

the recapitulation theory explains that children play to retrace the stages of human evolution and that the stages of play mimic human evolution. the purpose of play is to help children naturally expel their primitive instincts, which have become obsolete in a modern world. e.g children play with playground equipment to mimic climbing and swinging which would recapitulate primates living in trees, organized sports = tribes

Question 11

What is the practice theory?

Answer 11

the practice theory suggests that the purpose of play is to develop and refine the imperfect instincts that we are born with and that we will need in adult lift, it is through play that a species young can refine skills in a safe environment. e.g when children play house, they are practicing skills that will be needed in adult life

The practice theory contradicts the recapitulation theory

Question 12

What is the psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 12

developed by sigmund freud, lili peller, and erik erikson. provides a lens into emotional issues that children can struggle with and play is a vehicle through which children communicate and work through their feelings. if children are safe during play, it is an ideal opportunity to play and pretend that they are in control, to conjure up fantasy and to begin to make meaning of an adult directed world

Question 13

what is the cognitive theory?

Answer 13

the cognitive theory contends that play is linked with the mind and through play children are able to assimilate knowledge, problem-solve, and create new knowledge. developed by jean piaget, jerome bruner and lev vygotsky

Question 14

what is the cognitive theory?

Answer 14

the cognitive theory contends that play is linked with the mind and through play children are able to assimilate knowledge, problem-solve, and create new knowledge. developed by jean piaget, jerome bruner and lev vygotsky

Jean Piaget - swiss scholar, children assimilate knowledge during play that has been acquired prior to play. established the very influential concept that children pass through (and revisit) three different stages of play associated with a childs age

Jerome Bruner - american psychologist, recognized potential in play as a means to development. focused on utilitarian function of problem solving through play. by exploring through play, children can creatively find solutions to problems, test ideas, and develop skills. benefit is when making mistakes, -ve repercussions are minimized because happened during play not “real life”

Lev Vygotsky - viewed play as useful to help children create new knowledge. Vygotsky made a formidable impact on education by proposing that a zone of proximal development (ZPD) exists that promotes a childs development.

Question 15

what is the cognitive theory?

Answer 15

the cognitive theory contends that play is linked with the mind and through play children are able to assimilate knowledge, problem-solve, and create new knowledge. developed by jean piaget, jerome bruner and lev vygotsky

Jean Piaget - swiss scholar, children assimilate knowledge during play that has been acquired prior to play. established the very influential concept that children pass through (and revisit) three different stages of play associated with a childs age

Jerome Bruner - american psychologist, recognized potential in play as a means to development. focused on utilitarian function of problem solving through play. by exploring through play, children can creatively find solutions to problems, test ideas, and develop skills. benefit is when making mistakes, -ve repercussions are minimized because happened during play not “real life”

Lev Vygotsky - viewed play as useful to help children create new knowledge. Vygotsky made a formidable impact on education by proposing that a zone of proximal development (ZPD) exists that promotes a childs development.

Question 16

What are the 8 things that help define play?

Answer 16

1. intrinsic motivation
2. free choice
3. suspension of reality
4. positive affect
5. process over product
6. play is active
7. play is bound by rules
8. internal locus of control

Question 17

Play is active because…

Answer 17

the players must be actively engaged in the activity

active behaviours may include but are not limited to exploration, experimentation, manipulation, make believe, and interaction with the environment.

Question 18

play is bound by rules which means…

Answer 18

players accept that rules are part of play. the rules are self-imposed, regulated, and changed in accordance with the wishes of the players.

Question 19

Play therapy is …

Answer 19

the use of play as a therapeutic medium. play offers a glimpse into the players world. through play, children express what they have experienced (piaget), problem solve (bruner) and reenact life stressors to make sense of the world (freud and erikson). if play is an important human component and all healthy animals play, then we must examine the utility of play as a healing tool.

play enables children to interpret their world, to develop social and cultural context, and to express feelings; encourages creative thinking; and promotes verbal and non-verbal communication.

one advantage of play therapy is that the mental activity is not the direct goal, and therefore the player is unaware of the benefits play creates; it is as if the benefits associated with play “sneak in” while the player is preoccupied with the activity of playing

Question 20

the role of play in education includes:

Answer 20

children first experience school as a place to play. during play children learn to socialize, spark creativity, foster bonds with teachers, and make the transition from life at home to life in the classroom with peers and teachers. the division between play and learning is blurred and that learning cannot happen without play and play leads to learning –> JOHN DEWEY

to ensure that free-play is not eliminated from school curriculum, FLAXMAN 10 benefits of play:

1. fine motor development
2. gross motor development
3. social development
4. language acquisition
5. problem solving (creative thinking)
6. exploration of cause and effect
7. therapeutic catharsis
8. self-talk
9. improved self-confidence
10. cooperation skills in a social context

play is a powerful learning medium during which the players are focused and actively engaged rather than passive observers.

Question 21

play for life means..

Answer 21

Lanie melamed preached the virtues of play and acknowledged the dangers–underside of play.

being playful while growing older leads to inner feelings of self worth, energy, and a sense of wellness; laughter and humour; openness to the unexpected and unknown; valuing the present; and hope and affirmation of life.