Play, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, is an engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. Playing is the first social activity of a toddler and a pre-school pupil. It is through playing that they get to start to learn how to deal with people around them especially their playmates.

An American Psychologist, Erik Erikson states that at the toddler stage, the toddler may learn two things, Autonomy and Shame. Shame is a result of the inability to socialize thus becoming inferior and unable to make decisions for himself. Play is one aspect by which the child could learn.

Therefore, in respect to the school education and the students’ involvement, play is one avenue by which students can learn while having fun. Of course with the presumption, that everything in moderation. Too much of play in school may cause the students to be directed to the plays alone.

However, we cannot deny the fact that play in school, be it a sports, a theatrical play, a mind game, or a simple game of luck inside the classroom can really contribute to the following dimensions of human learning:

 

1. Cognitive Learning.

When play involves tasks on how to solve or find the solution to a certain problem, or even how to improve on the play of each player has an effect in the brain and the cognition process.

Being able to explore options and arriving at the best solution is an important phase in the cognitive development of a student. The principle by which they were able to arrive at the best possible answer will be retained in the cortex of the brain, such that will be remembered should be encountered by the same or similar instances.

 

2. Psychomotor Learning.

When play involves skills demonstration and movement, such as manipulation, coordination etc. it is the psychomotor learning that is activated.

A classic example would be a sporting event, basketball, for instance, is a game of coordination. Each student will be first trained on how to go about the plays and the directions from the coach, thus the actual play with the opponent team. The ability to retain skills and behaviors learned and acquired in the school will be a great factor to become productive in the future.

3. Affective Learning.

When the emotion is at stake and eliciting the correct affective response to a certain situation, the affective learning is at place.

In a team strategy game, one must acknowledge that there are members of the group that have varied strength and weaknesses. If someone is assigned as the team leader, it is therefore his or her duty bound to know them thus acknowledge them and solicit from the group the necessary assistance needed.

In conclusion, play is one good and effective avenue by which students, nowadays, can learn. Through play, educators can explore one’s fullest potentials in terms of being a team player.

Play is a good option but is not the only option. It is best combined with logical and rational reasoning because play and the act of playing gives the students the atmosphere of fun while learning which is an important factor in learning — know that LEARNING is Fun.

By: Aileen L. Lumaban | Teacher III | Limay Nationahl High School | Limay, Bataan