- Discussion 1: Delving Into Your Play History
Required Resources:
- Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., & Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health , & Council on Communications and Media. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young childrenLinks to an external site.. Pediatrics, 142(3). e20182058.
- Lashbrook, A. (2018, August 22). Playtime may bolster kids’ mental healthLinks to an external site.. The Atlantic.
- Wood, L. (2014). Holding on to play: Reflecting on experiences as a playful K-3 teacherLinks to an external site.. YC Young Children, 69(2), 48–57.
- Huff Sisson, J., & Lash, M. (2017). Outdoor learning experiences connecting children to nature: Perspectives from Australia and the United StatesLinks to an external site.. YC Young Children, 72(4), 8–16.
- Carlson, F. M. (2011). Rough play: One of the most challenging behaviorsLinks to an external site.. YC Young Children, 66(4), 1825.
- Scott-McKie, L., & Casey, T. (2017). Play types toolkitLinks to an external site.. Play Scotland.
Consider the following scenario:
Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, has contacted you and asked you to share your personal “play history” for his research. He offers:
“So what I would encourage you … to do is to explore backwards as far as you can go to the most clear, joyful, playful image you have, whether it’s a toy, or on a birthday, or on a vacation … and begin to build from the emotion of that into how that connects with your life now.” (Brown, 2010)
Keeping in mind that Brown believes our play histories are the basis for our passions and inner drives as adults, review the Learning Resources and participate in the Discussion using the prompts provided below..
Post your response to the following:
- Describe your play history, using specific examples from your childhood.
- Use terminology, definitions, categories of play, and any additional information from “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children” and other resources in the module to further describe and deepen your play history.
- Reflect on how your play history may have impacted your own physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development.
2. Discussion 2: Outdoor Triumphs, Risks, and Challenges
Last week, you reflected on your own play history, which perhaps included rich descriptions of time spent outdoors: playing with friends and alone, running, meandering, climbing, building, and imagining.
But what is time outdoors like for children today? Many spend far less time actively and freely engaged in outdoor play with extended days in care and school and an emphasis on structured sports at younger ages. The prevalence of time spent on “screens” and safety concerns also have taken their toll.
Researchers in many fields have raised alarms as to why a lack of time outdoors is detrimental to the healthy development of children. However, at the same time, there are also a number of fascinating ideas and approaches that have emerged within the early childhood field that position outdoor and nature-based play as not only accessible but indeed central to helping young children thrive.
In preparation for this week’s Discussion, consider your own experiences with and perspectives about young children and the outdoors. Then, review the resources and think about your reactions and the role of early childhood professionals in making sure children participate in the breadth and depth of what the outdoors has to offer.
Post your response to the following:
- Explain the value of nature-based play, forest schools, risky play, and big body play to every child’s healthy development and learning.
- Describe issues that you notice pertaining to accessibility and inclusion in outdoor/nature-based experiences for all children.
- Discuss specific challenges related to each of the categories of outdoor play for early childhood teachers.
- Analyze your own discomfort related to any or all of these areas and explain how you might move yourself further along on the continuum of comfort and risk.
