Play The Highest Form Of Research - 2669 Words

hat is play? In the Cambridge dictionary play is described as when a person, especially a child, ‘spends time doing an enjoyable and/or entertaining activity.’ This is the common assumption of what play is, as play is often not associated with learning and instead is just assumed to be children having fun and enjoying themselves. However in the last century many child psychologists, philosophers and scientists have began to make a link between play and how a child learns. For example Albert Einstein described play as â€Å"the highest form of research†. This suggests play and its influence has been studied for hundreds of years despite it not always being linked with how children learn. Positive images of play The majority of research†¦show more content†¦By this Garvey may have meant that play allows a child to learn about the wider surroundings, for example many young children enjoy playing activities/games that are similar to things adults do in day-to-day situations. These games may include being a teacher, working in a shop or driving a toy car. All these games allow a child to explore the wider world in a way they can understand, as it is memorable for the child. For example if a child is pretending they are working in a shop they will start to grasp the importance/meaning of money and basic norms and values such as manners. Kalliala stated that â€Å"children don’t play in order to learn, although they are learning while they are playing.† This supports Garvey’s argument to a huge extent as again it is suggesting play is the most effective way for a young child to learn, as they will enjoy it a lot more than academic activities, often without realising . All of this suggests play is an extremely positive concept in early childhood education as it allows children to understand/explore the wider world and learn basic norms and values. Another reason play is cherished by teachers, philosophers and child psychologists today is that it is very important that children enjoy themselves as if not this may lead to serious mental health problems when they grow older. Ashley Montagu is an anthropologist and humanist who mainly studies race and