PLAY: THELANGUAGEORWORKOFTHECHILD

Prepared by: Marjorie E. Ming

MPH, RHV, RN, RM(June, 2010)

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AIM:AIM:To enable participants to gain good understanding To enable participants
to gain good understanding
of the role, of the role, function and value of play in the life a child &
in health care services, & the teaching learning process.
Objectives:
1.Define the term Play
2.Outline the types of play related to human growth &
development.
3.Describe the functions of play .
4.Demonstrate how play can be effectively utilized in
enhancing health care, and teaching and learning.
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Definition of Terms
a)Playis the work of the child.
b)Playis the language or work of the child.
c)Playis an intrinsically satisfying activity,
something children do for the fun of it (Ruben, Fein,
& Vandenberg, 1938)
d)Play therapy: a technique used with children who
have psychosocial disorders, it reveals problems on a
fantasy level through the use of toys, dolls, clay, art,
& other creative objects.
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Overview of Play
Through play children learn:
What they can t be taught
About their world and how to deal with this
environment of objects, structure and people.
How to relate to things and situations.
About themselves and what they can do.
Howto adapt themselves to the demands of
society.
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Classification of the patterns of children s play
The developmental perspectives there are two:
1. The Content of Play: which involves primarily the physical aspects
and follows from simples to complex.
2. The Social Character of Play: whichrefers to the role of play in the
socialization process.
Each builds on past accomplishments.
Some elements of each is maintained throughout life.
The new predominates at each stage of development.
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Types of Play
1.Social Affect Play (early infancy): At the beginning the infant:
oGains pleasure in relationships with people. This stimulates
emotions.
.Learns to provoke parental emotions & responds by smiling, cooing
or initiating games & activities. The adult talks, fondles, nuzzles &
uses various tactics to elicit the infant s responses.
2.Sense pleasure Play (Infancy): a nonsocial stimulating experience
originating from outside the person.
.Child s attention is attracted by objects in the environment (colour,
tastes, odours, textures, consistencies).
.Child gains pleasure from these experiences.
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3.Skill Pleasure Play (6 18 mths.):Having developed the ability to
manipulate objects, the child persistently:
a)Demonstrates and exercises the newly acquired skill by repeating
the action over and over.
b)An element of sense pleasure play is often evident here.
c)Pain and frustration are often experienced in this activity also.
4.Unoccupied Behaviour (toddler): The child is not playful but
momentarily focuses attention on anything that interests him/her.
.The child daydreams, fiddles with clothes, or objects, or walks
aimlessly.
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5.Dramatic/Symbolic/Pretend Play: A vital element in the child s
process of identification.
a) Begins in early infancy (11 -13 months).
b) Children engage in simple pretending with activities, e.g.
eating, sleeping, drinking from a cup.
c) Continues in toddlerhood as more familiar aspects of play.
d) Becomes more complex & dominant and removed from
everyday activities as they enter preschool age. Declines in
middle childhood.
6.Onlooker Play: The child watches what other children are doing
but makes no attempt to join in the activities.
a) child displays an active interest in the activities of others
without wishing to participate e.g. watching television.
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7.Solitary Play (early toddlerhood): The child
plays independently, alone with toys different from
those being used by other children in the same area.
a) Child enjoys the presence of other but makes no
effort to get close or speak to them.
b) Interest is centered on his/her own activity.
8.Parallel Play (1 3 yrs):The child plays
independently among other children.
a) Child uses similar toys as the children around him
but as each sees fit, without being influenced by the
others.
b) This is characteristic of the toddler.
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9. Associate Play:Children play together in similar/identical
activity but there is no organization, division of labour, or
leadership assignment or mutual goal.
a)Each child acts according to his own wishes: no group goals
although they borrow articles from each other, engaging in
similar conversation
b)No rules are established.
c)they follow each others examples.
10.Cooperative Play (3 yrs. Onwards):is organized,
children play together;
.goals are set activities are planned & discussed.
.They dramatize situations of adult or group life.
.Group is loosely formed but there is great sense of belonging
or not belonging. (Typical of the school age child)
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11.Therapeutic Play: a variety of play activities used
with hospitalized children.
a) Helps to alleviates stress,
b) Prepares children for therapeutic procedures,
c) Adds familiarity to hospital situation,
d) Diminishes fantasies,
e) Provides motor activities for child,
f) Helps child develop a sense of mastery.
.Children who are immobilized by tubes & restraints,
can feel a sense of accomplishment e.g. by completing
a jigsaw puzzle.
.Play can help children work through painful
situations.
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Play Therapy:A technique that reveals problems
through creativity, using toys, dolls, clay, art, etc.
.Often used with preschool and school age children
who are experiencing anxiety, stress and other
specific, nonpsychotic mental disorders.
.Play therapy encourages the child to act out feelings
such as anger, hostility, sadness and fear.
.Provides opportunity for the therapist to help the
child understand on a conscious or unconscious level,
personal responses and behaviour in a safe,
supportive environment.
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Bibliography/References
Ball J. & Bindler R. 2003, Paediatric NursingCaring
For Children 3rded., Pearson Edu., Prentice Hall NJ.
Clarke Mary Jo, 1996, Nursing in the Community 2nded. Appleton & Lange, Prentice
Hall, NJ.
Slavin R, 1986, Educational Psychology Theory into
Practice 2ndEd. Prentice Hall, NJ.
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.Play Safely!
.Thank you!!!
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