Play build the skill of creativity which is a highly sought after trait for 21st Century workers, but are our classrooms creating a crisis in creativity.
Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) 2024Final.pptx
Playtime
1. Play, The “endangered” species
of the classroom
“We don't quit playing because we grow old, we
grow old because we quit playing.”
− George Bernard Shaw
2. Discussion Question #1
1)Think back to your
own childhood
describe common
summertime play
activities.
2)What does
summertime play
look like for children
today? How has play
changed in the last 20
years?
3. Changing Nature of Play
“It is interesting to me that when we talk about play
today, the first thing that comes to mind are toys.
Whereas when I would think of play in the 19th
century, I would think of an activity rather than an
object...(in the past) they improvised play,
whether it was in the outdoors...or whether it was
on a street corner or somebody's back yard. They
regulated their play and made up their own rules.”
− Howard Chudoff, play researcher Brown
University
4. What is play?
What is the difference between structured
play and free play?
− Structured play = Rule based play
− Free Play = Dynamic, imaginative
interaction with either objects or
peers or both objects and peers
Which type of play is most important to
developing emotional intelligence?
9. Play is Essential to
Development
Physical benefits
Appropriate socialization
Self-regulation
Develops higher order thinking skills
− Static vs. Dynamic
11. Physical benefits
Need for active play
Reduces risk of obesity
Reduction in depression
Enjoyable!
− International survey found outdoor
play most enjoyable activity. 50% of
mothers report children do not play
outside enough.
− -
12. Appropriate socialization
benefits
Kathy Hirch Pasek studies – compared
academic pre-schools to play-based pre-
schools
− More anxiety, were less creative,
had more negative attitudes
towards school
1997 High Scope Study
− Age 23 arrest rates (1/3 vs. 1/10)
− -
13. Self-regulation = key to
success in life
“Self-regulation predicts effective development in virtually
every domain; in fact, good executive function is a better
predictor of success in schools than a child's IQ.”
− Laura Berk, professor of psychology Illinois
State University
14. Discussion Question #3
List the characteristics of a successful
person?
http://wiffiti.com/screens/7483
16. Play = Learning
“Child-initiated play, not memorizing
information, is the vehicle through which
children develop many of the skills that
education reformers, and business leaders say
they need, such as collaboration, critical
thinking, and confidence”
− Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
17. Develops higher order
thinking skills
Early Intervention play-based
vs. academic instruction (105
vs. 85)
Rats Experiment – (BDFN
Chemical Neuron Stimulator)
Block Experiment –
Researchers gave blocks to a
group of 18 month olds. 6
months later...
18. The Predators of Play
“Play now appears to be a minor activity in
most kindergarten classrooms.”
Edward Miller, Director of Alliance for
Childhood
19. Organized Activities
U of M research study of
free play
− 1987 (40%) 1997
(25%)
Changed the way parents
interact with their children
40% of schools offer less
than 30 minutes of recess in
a 6 hour school day
21. Screen Time
“The traditional culture of childhood is fast
disappearing. In the past two decades alone,
children have lost 12 hours of free time a week,
and 8 of those were once spent in unstructured
free play and outdoor pastimes. In part, this is a
function of the digital culture which provides so
many adult-created toys, games, and
amusements, Game Boys, and other electronic
games are so addictive they dissuade children
from playing the traditional games.”
− David Elkind
22. Screen Time
TV replaces time socializing and engaging in
unstructured free play
Children 8-18 spend 6 hours per day of
screen time
2/3 of infants and toddlers watch 2
hours/day
40,000 commerical/ year
51% of TV is always on
53% no rules about TV watching
23. TV and Research
Links to ADD
Violent behaviors
− 66% of all TV shows violence
One study found children who watched
more TV than average impacted
educational achievement at 26.
24. TV and Obesity
U of M found being awake in a room and in a room
with TV on more than 2 hours per day increased
risks of being overweight at ages 3-4.
Researchers found TV is the GREATEST risk factor
for childhood obesity. (Diet, physical activity,
sedentary behavior)
Recent study shows success in reducing weight of
pre-teens just by restricting TV viewing.
Metabolic rate is lower watching TV than just sitting
quietly doing nothing
25. Screen Time Suggestions
Talk to parents about setting limits
Make meaningful choices
Mr. Rogers vs. Barney
Co-Viewing with children under 2
-
26. Discussion Question #4
What are the biggest challenges teachers
face in talking to parents about screen
time?
27. Classroom “Environmental
Protection Agencies of
Play”“Imaginative play is important to children's
development, Children need opportunities to act
and dress up like people they know. Equipment
that encourages such play includes
housekeeping furniture, dolls, dress-up clothes,
utensils, blocks, vehicles, carpentry equipment,
and musical instruments. Freedom to use
various paints, clay, water, and other art
materials encourages imitation as well as
conversation and creative expression of ideas
and understandings.”
− Position Paper of ACEI (Association for Childhood
Education International)
28. “Environmental Protection
Agencies of Play” Best
Practics
Time for free play
45 minutes/day 5 days a week
Modeling play
Language and showcasing professions
Materials for Play
Simpler Toys = More Creative Inputs