Children Play

What is play? Identify the different types of play. Identify and explain factors affecting the child opportunity to play. Explore the relevant of play in relation to child growth and development. What is play therapy? Explore and critically reflect the used of play therapeutically in the hospital setting.

What is play ? Children are growing up in a rapid changing world  expecting children to know and able to do things like adult do. Less opportunity for children to play compare to the previous generation Varieties of games available now, are different from those available 10 years ago

Play A range of voluntary, intrinsically motivated activities, personally directed, that are associated with pleasure and enjoyment

Play consist of amusing, pretend or imaginary interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions The Convention on the Rights of the Child in Article 31 Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the art. 2. Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities.

Types of Play 1. Motor and Physical Play 2. Social Play 3. Constructive Play 4. Fantasy Play/Pretend Play 5. Game with Rules

Motor / Physical Play Provides opportunity to develop gross and fine muscle strength. Social Play Giving children opportunity to social/interacting with others Learn social rules, sharing, cooperate, moral reasoning Help children to prepare towards adult life in social situation.

Constructive Play Children manipulate their environment to create things Build towers and cities with blocks, play in the sand Give children opportunity to learn basic knowledge about stacking, building, drawing, constructing Give children a sense of accomplishment and empowers them with control of their environment

Fantasy Play / Pretend Play Children learn to abstract, try out new roles and possible situations, to experiment with language and emotions Develop flexible thinking, create, stretch their imaginations, use new words and word combinations in a risk free environment Use numbers and words to express ideas, concepts, dream and histories

Games with Rules Children progress from an egocentric view to an understanding of the importance of social contracts and rules

Birth to 1 yr old Crib gyms Floor activity Play pan Soft dolls or stuffed animals Teething toys 1 to 3 years old Soft blocks Push, pull and pop-up toys Pounding, shaping, nesting and stacking toys Puzzles with knobs Cardboard picture books Musical instruments

3 to 5 years Non toxic art supplies Pretend toys Simple board games [word and matching games] Puzzles with knob Outdoor toys such as a tricycle with a safety helmet 5 to 9 years old Puppets Construction toys Jigsaw puzzles Art and crafts kits Jump rope Miniature dolls and action figures

9 to 14 years old Sports equipment with proper protective gear Handheld electronic games Board games Model science kits Playing cards Construction sets

Play Therapy A method of psychotherapy with children in which a therapist uses a child’s fantasies and the symbolic meaning of his or her play as a medium for understanding and communication with the child Play is the child’s natural means of expression A therapeutic method to assist the child in coping with emotional stress or trauma Used commonly with children aged 3 to 8 years

Aim of play therapy – decrease behavioral and emotional difficulties that interfere significantly with a child’s normal functioning. Found to improve verbal expression, ability for self-observation, impulse control, more adaptive ways of coping with anxiety and frustration, to trust and relate to others Used for sexual /physical abuse, neglect, loss of a family members, family problems, low self esteem, excessive worry etc

Recommended items may include: Manipulative [clay, crayons, painting] Water and sand play Toy kitchen appliances, utensils and pans Dolls and figures of various sizes Toy guns, rubber knives Toy cars, boats, soldiers and animals Blocks Soft toys Medical play