Journal Article

Fundamentals of Play

Murdock, Jami, Stevens-Smith, Deborah A

2020

Overview

As children head outside for recess, the race is on to swing, slide, and climb. Playgrounds seek to enhance the health of children and assist them in reviving their minds and bodies. The physical enhancement is not visible to the eye, but we can see the results and effect of the play on the mood and activity levels of children as they are having fun. At a very early age, play is what enables children to engage and interact with the world around them. Play is an integral part of the academic community, and when used appropriately in the educational setting, it enhances not just cognitive development but social and emotional aspects as well. The purpose of this article is to examine the seven elements of play in light of how they influence learning. These elements have the potential to affect children as they practice what they have previously learned in the classroom and create new learning experiences that can influence cognitive development. The seven elements include balancing, sliding, brachiating, spinning, climbing, swinging, and sensory development. Different aspects of play aid in the development of the child—all of which shape a child’s future learning ability.

• Publisher: Common Ground Research Networks
• Subject: Cognitive development / Perceptual Development