Understand Children and Young Peoples Self Directed Play
Freely chosen, self directed play.
Refer back to assignment 1.
The play cycle
A play cycle begins in the pre conscious thoughts of the child, it is at the point of daydream where the playful impulse is created and given out as the play cue. Once this cue is taken up by a responding partner the play cycle begins. The metalude signals the start of the play process and while it supports a single play thought in the Childs consciousness it can change in seconds to become another playful thoughts or an extended version of its original self. The play cue can be given out in many ways, facial expressions, eyes contact, body language or simply through using materials I.e. a ball or a colouring pencil. Looking back through my reflective diary I noticed a very clear cue I had received, it was very clear and understandable a child simply kicked a ball in my direction and gave me clear eye contact so naturally I kicked it back in seconds we were a having a football match and within minutes other children were coming over to join so I stepped back and facilitated. The play cue is followed by the play return example; kicking the ball back. which can come from another person, the environment or from the child playing. Then comes the
Play frame, the process or space that is created by cues and returns. It's a boundary that keeps the play intact. It begins with the child's play drive and includes all that allows play to continue. It may be as big as a football pitch or as small as a chessboard and the two people playing. As a play worker you can be inside or outside of the frame depending on the level of the play workers involvement.
Play Cycle, the full flow of play from the first play cue to the return and the further development of play- with more cues and returns until the play is complete.
Play Annihilation: The end of the play frame. Children take what they want from the activity and then it is finished. A play worker can cause play annihilation if they intervene
Refer back to assignment 1.
The play cycle
A play cycle begins in the pre conscious thoughts of the child, it is at the point of daydream where the playful impulse is created and given out as the play cue. Once this cue is taken up by a responding partner the play cycle begins. The metalude signals the start of the play process and while it supports a single play thought in the Childs consciousness it can change in seconds to become another playful thoughts or an extended version of its original self. The play cue can be given out in many ways, facial expressions, eyes contact, body language or simply through using materials I.e. a ball or a colouring pencil. Looking back through my reflective diary I noticed a very clear cue I had received, it was very clear and understandable a child simply kicked a ball in my direction and gave me clear eye contact so naturally I kicked it back in seconds we were a having a football match and within minutes other children were coming over to join so I stepped back and facilitated. The play cue is followed by the play return example; kicking the ball back. which can come from another person, the environment or from the child playing. Then comes the
Play frame, the process or space that is created by cues and returns. It's a boundary that keeps the play intact. It begins with the child's play drive and includes all that allows play to continue. It may be as big as a football pitch or as small as a chessboard and the two people playing. As a play worker you can be inside or outside of the frame depending on the level of the play workers involvement.
Play Cycle, the full flow of play from the first play cue to the return and the further development of play- with more cues and returns until the play is complete.
Play Annihilation: The end of the play frame. Children take what they want from the activity and then it is finished. A play worker can cause play annihilation if they intervene