PLAY: THELANGUAGEORWORKOFTHECHILDPrepared by: Marjorie E. Ming MPH, RHV, RN, RM(June, 2010)PLAYAIM: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. 2MEMING 06 2010PLAY Definition of Termsa)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. 3MEMING 06 2010PLAYOverview of Play Through play children learn: What they cant 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. 4MEMING 06 2010PLAY Classification of the patterns of childrens playThe 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. 5MEMING 06 2010PLAY Types of Play1.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 infants responses. 2.Sense pleasure Play (Infancy): a nonsocial stimulating experience originating from outside the person. .Childs attention is attracted by objects in the environment (colour, tastes, odours, textures, consistencies). .Child gains pleasure from these experiences. 6MEMING 06 2010PLAY 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. 7MEMING 06 2010PLAY 5.Dramatic/Symbolic/Pretend Play: A vital element in the childs 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.8MEMING 06 2010PLAY7.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. 9MEMING 06 2010PLAY9. 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 belongingor not belonging. (Typical of the school age child) 10MEMING 06 2010PLAY11.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. 11MEMING 06 2010PLAYPlay 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. 12MEMING 06 2010PLAYBibliography/ReferencesBall 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. 13MEMING 06 2010PLAY.Play Safely! .Thank you!!!14MEMING 06 2010