Creative Play Exam 1 Study guide

*Piaget's theories of development of play* :)

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*Vygotsky's theories of development of play* :)

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*The value of Play*

good for children, helps them to learn how to move and use their bodies *valuable*

*DAP for play materials for infants and the skills they promote in infants*

look at Toys and Materials for Infant and Toddler Play article

*DAP for play materials for toddlers and the skills they promote in toddlers*

look at Toys and Materials for Infant and Toddler Play article

*Guidelines for selecting toys and materials for infants and toddlers*

look at Toys and Materials for Infant and Toddler Play article

*Literacy rich environments*

look on pg 174-175

*Curriculum approaches - developmental interaction, high-scope, constructivist such as Reggio Emilia, creative curriculum*

look on pg 183-186 and in notes

*Brain research and the importance of experience and repetition* :)

- supports play and the need to strengthen neurological connections - all children are born wired for feelings and ready to learn - early environments matter and nurturing relationships are essential - society is changing and the needs of young children are not being addressed - interactions among early childhood science, policy, and practice are problematic and demand dramatic rethinking

*ways that play effects development for preschoolers*

..... years are the play years. *Cognitive Development > *Preoperational period* -egocentrism -attribution of animistic characteristics to inanimate objects and egocentrism > *Constructive play* -occurs when children use materials to create something. -though considered the last stage of semsorimortor play by Piaget, Smilansky (1968) viewed constructive play as a separate stage between sensorimotor and symbolic play.

*Characteristics of Play* :)

1. ..... is voluntary 2. ..... requires active involvement 3. ..... is symbolic 4. ..... is free of external rules 5. ..... focuses on action rather than outcomes 6. ..... is pleasureable

*elements that support play in various cultures* :)

1. a healthy and safe play place 2. schedules that ensure that basic physiological needs are met 3. an array of familiar peers, materials, or other culturally relevant materials 4. adult behaviors that support but do not disrupt play 5. an agreement between the adult and child that play can occur. Signals are often used to indicate that is psychologically safe play place

*obstacles to play* :)

1. poverty and violence 2. changing cultural values 3. inadequate space 4. overemphasis on academics

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Vygotsky*

> *Purpose of play* - *Ego mastery* - *Rule bound* > Play allows child to engage in wish fulfillment. > Play creates the zone of proximal development. Play leads to development and is the highest level of intellectual development prior to formal instruction. > "The child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behavior; in play it is as though he were a head taller than himself" (Vygotsky, 1978, p. 102). > Play leads to development.

*Play or Exploration*

> .... has a positive affect, creative combinations, improvisational, casual demeanor; heart rate is variable, increases with age >........ neutral affect (cautious), stereotypical behaviors, Intense; heart rate is steady; and concentration evident, decreases with age and precedes....

*ways that play effects development for primary children*

>Characteristics of Play -play helps fill the need for order -play helps fill the need to belong -play helps fill the sense of self. >Symbolic play decreases >Games with rules increases >problem solving increases >they want to play with other children These children a generally between the ages of 6-9

*ways that play effects development for infants and toddlers*

>For the first two years of life, children discover their world through play and exploration. >Factors that affect development include: -nourishment. -care. -stimulation. -environment. *Play Benefits Infant/Toddler Development >Keeps the infant at an optimal level of arousal so that he is neither bored nor overly excited (Power & Park, 1980). >Provides the infant with a feeling of control over his environment, fostering self-control and promoting intellectual growth (Watson & Ramey, 1972). >Exposes the infant to intense social interaction with his parents and so facilitates infant-adult attachment. >Encourages the infant to explore his surroundings. >Causes the infant to attend more closely to the social aspects of language (Ratner & Bruner, 1978). Levels of Sensorimotor Play >Reflexive stage (Birth to 1 month) >Primary circular reactions (1 to 4 months) >Secondary circular reactions (4 to 8 months) >Coordination of secondary schemes (8 to 12 months) >Tertiary circular reactions (1 year to 18 months) >Invention of new means through mental combinations (18 to 24 months) *Object Play >Begins when the infant can grasp objects. >Generally develops around four months. >Infant moves from focusing on being directed by the object to directing the object. > *Functional play* -Child uses the object for the function that the object was intended in her culture. -Object is used to imitate reality. A cup is used to pretend to drink. > *Indiscriminate or stereotypical play* -Child uses the object in an indiscriminate way. Cup is used for banging. *Symbolism >decontextualization—child represents objects and actions symbolically with other objects and actions. >decentration—child moves from focusing on self to focusing on others. >integration—child combines several single schemes into a multiple scheme play experience.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Piaget*

>Purpose of play -Play provides for wish fulfillment. -Play follows development. -Play allows children to sublimate reality through a process involving accommodation and assimilation. - *Accommodation* occurs when the child adjusts the mental schema to accept new knowledge. - *Assimilation* occurs when the individual fits information into existing mental structures. - Play is *disequilibrium* with an imbalance of assimilation and accommodation with a dominance of assimilation over accommodation.

*Indicators of high-quality programs for infants and toddlers* :)

>use of DAP as a philosophy in setting up the environment and developing the curriculum >low adult-to-child ratios and group sizes that are strictly maintained >health and safety recommendations and guidelines that are rigorously followed >staff who are knowledgeable in child development and learning that is specific to the infant and toddler developmental period and who know how to use this knowledge appropriately >administrative policies and workplace conditions that discourage staff turnover and thus encourage consistency of care giving for babies >staff who demonstrate that strong interpersonal skills and positive communication exist and are facilitated among caregivers, colleagues, parents, and babies >sensitively responsive caregivers who know each baby so well that they can anticipate the babies needs, read their verbal and nonverbal cues, and consistently respond quickly in a loving and affectionate manner to meet those needs --Children in high-quality centers should: >feel safe, secure, respected, valued, cared for, happy, encouraged, and reassured >know about themselves, others, the environment, routines, and limits >acquire living skills, including social skills, language skills, physical skills, and a respect for people and things

*Theories of Play - sociocultural theory* :)

A theory of cognitive development that considers the impact of social, cultural, and historical factors, on the construction of knowledge during interactions with others

*parallel play*

A type of social play identified by Mildred Parten in which the child plays independently alongside other children but does not engage in conversation or play with them. Some children who are entering a new play setting will engage in this kind of play

*symbolic play*

According to Piaget, the second stage of play; occurs when a child uses an object or action to represent or stand for another; usually begins within the first two years of life.

*games with rules*

According to Piaget, the third stage of play. Children develop ____ with _____ as they become more capable of using symbolism and external rules to guide play. The rules can be changed with group consensus and can be transmitted to others orally.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Locke*

Children are a blank slate and can learn through play when adults use toys to teach concepts.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Comenius*

Children are innately curious, and different materials should be used to encourage their creativity.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Rousseau*

Children are innately good, and nature is a primary force in learning.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Froebel*

Children learn through play.

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Pestalozzi*

Children should be free to explore, and they learn through action (learn by doing).

*Sensorimotor stage*

From birth to 2 years; practice play or functional play - mere practice play, fortuitous combinations, intentional combinations, and constructive play: term used by some to describe practice play that occurs when the infant is engaged in pleasure-producing behaviors that involve exercising ............. schemata. occurs in the first two years of life

*Guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice for selecting toys & materials for preschoolers *

Look at Toys and Materials for Preschool Play article

*Using developmentally appropriate practice for identifying toys/materials for preschoolers & the skills they help develop*

Look at Toys and Materials for Preschool Play article

*Components of high quality programs for preschoolers* :)

Look on pg 158 Figure 5-1

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Dewey*

One of the first educators to set up hands on approach to learning for children, we learn by doing

*associative play*

Play that occurs when a child plays with another child. They may talk to each other, exchange toys, and play near one another, but they do not have defined roles or shared goals

*constructive play*

Play that occurs when children use materials to create, invent, or construct something; occurs more than any other kind of play in the classroom and leads to the development of skills and creativity

*Important scholars contributing to the value of play - Erikson*

Purpose of Play: -Play as ego mastery for emotional development -Play as social -Play as a lifelong phenomenon ........ Play Levels: The autocosmic level of play occurs in the first year of life when children explore, experience, and investigate their own body as they discover that they are separate from other people Microsphere: -Toys are used in two ways. -Props for acting out their emotions -Tools to discover the limits of rules established by caregivers -Child gains mastery over the world as she controls toys and materials. -Macrosphere—The child develops a shared view of the world as she engages in sociodramatic play and games.

*onlooker behaviors*

The child watches, asks questions, and talks to other children. She is observing, but fails to play.

*functional play*

Sensory and motor exploration of people, materials, and toys;appears in infancy and is evident throughout the first two years. Simlansky used the term to describe the lowest level of play, similar to practice play described by Piaget. .........and practice play tend to be used interchangeably.

*cooperative play*

Term used by Parten to describe play that occurs when two or more children engage in interactive play with a common goal. This is a complex level of social play in which the children may assign roles and scripts

*practice play*

Term used by Piaget to describe the first stage of play that dominates the first two years of life. The child engages in repetition of an experience for the sheer joy of doing so. Although this is the first stage of play, it can also occur later.

*solitary play*

The child plays alone or independently and does not interact with others. Concentrates on individual play. Although Parten initially saw this as a lower level of play, others view this as very worthwhile and view it as equally valuable

*context*

The social, cultural, political, and environmental factors that impact behavior. The .... influences and affects play behaviors

*Theories of Play - cognitive developmental theory* :)

considers play as an avenue for intellectual growth and development, Piaget has been the most influential theorist in this area, he believed that children construct knowledge through interactions with their world.