The effects of our actions Lucy Thornton Director Wozobona Overview of presentation Defining Play The Value of Play Decisions we Make Political Economic Social Environment Effects on Play ID: 551982
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Slide1
Play Scan: The effects of our actions
Lucy Thornton
Director:
Woz’obonaSlide2
Overview of presentation
Defining Play
The Value of Play
Decisions we Make
Political
Economic
Social
Environment
Effects on Play
Why should you bother?Slide3
What is Play?
Play
is a process that is
freely chosen
,
personally directed
and
intrinsically
motivated
(Make time to Play Campaign, A world without Play)
As we move to
facilitate
,
organise
and
formalise
, care needs to be taken that we as adults do not rob children of choices, personal directing and ‘doing it for the fun of it’.
Through play
learning does not have to be forced
to happen, it happens by itself.Slide4
The value of play
‘Play
is crucial to children’s healthy development and quality of life’ (Foley 2008 p.6
).
Without
play, a child’s ability to develop and function effectively in the world is at best impaired and at worst as good as impossible’ (
Hubbuck
2009, p127).Slide5
The value of play
Playful
children are happier, better adjusted, more co-operative, and more popular with
their
peers than those who play less.
‘
Opportunities for spontaneous play may be the only requirement that young children need to increase their physical activity.’ Dietz (2001).Slide6
The value of play
‘Time
spent playing is the natural arena for forming friendships, finding soul-mates and negotiating relationships’ (Casey 2010
pxi
).
Through
play children express and work out emotional aspects of everyday experiences, exploring their feelings and finding ways of expressing themselves (Open University). Slide7
Why is this an issue?
Today play is an endangered species
It is endangered by the decisions we make and actions we take
Politically
Socially
Economically
EnvironmentallySlide8
Political Decisions/Actions
Resource allocation and subsequent use results from political decisions.
Minimising opportunities and time for play in schools is a political decision.
The size and location of spaces for play in our communities is often determined by the politics at play in local government.Slide9
Political Decisions/Actions:South African National Budget 2008/2009Slide10
Social Decisions/Actions
The height and width of wall we build around our homes is a social decision.
The size of play space inside our homes is a social decision.
Whether we allow our children free play or impose our ideas of what they should be doing with their time is a social decision.
Whether we allow our children free exploration and discovery activities is a social decision.Slide11
Connect the dots between child participation and child protection
Society protects and shelters children
C
hildren can protect themselves and reach out
Child protection
Child participation
Play is the vehicle we
use
to take children from the place where they
are
sheltered and protected to the place where they interact confidently with their world.Slide12
Economic Decisions/Actions
Urbanisation is squeezing out play spaces and opportunities.
The more commercialised play is, the more exclusive play becomes.
Play is becoming less physical and less social.
As families become wealthier they spend more on toys and children become less likely to explore, discover, create their own activities and even make their own playthings.
We spend funds on child protection but not on play, failing to see the connection between them.Slide13
Environmental Decisions/Actions
Increasingly we generate more waste than we can safely dispose of.
We seek to leave some wealth for our children, but not an opportunity for them to earn their own wealthSlide14
The effects of all these …
Poor performance in education
We failed to stimulate them early on
Violent nation
We fail to pass critical values of patience, respect for others, waiting your turn, accepting defeat…
“I am all that matters syndrome”
We fail to socialise and build team spirit in the early yearsSlide15
The effects of all these…
We spend a fortune on correctional and rehabilitative programs
We fail to instil self discipline and self-restraint early
We are a nation that is largely dependent on state welfare
We fail to inspire dreams and desire for success earlySlide16
So why should you bother?
You are equally concerned about the observable effects around us
You have some role or influence on some of these decisions
You are also part of the generation to which children and their successors are looking to with expectation
you have a role to play and a responsibility to discharge
you are also searching for answersSlide17
It is not all lost….
The solution lies in the basics that we have chosen to put aside
The solution is cost effective and affordable
The solution is within reach
That solution is…Slide18
Play
Play
Play