Rima Bose

How students perceive child initiated play in an early years setting 2.0 Literature Review: 2.1 Introduction: In the second chapter of the dissertation literature review the analyst carries out a secondary study by conducting extensive study from previously published scholarly academic research paper, books, journals etc.The researcher here has hence studied minutely on ways in which learning and playing activities are initiated to involve children at an early age so as to involve them in the academic environment and help them grow amidst a positive environment. The research here emphasises on discussing ways in which students understand and perceive the unique approach of child initiated play as a part of learning and growing at an early age. Perception is important aspect in the life of an individual. Experiences could be either cherished or ignored depending on the nature of the experience. In this literature review, with reference to academic journals and research works the topic has been studied minutely for better understanding and evaluation. 2.2 Child-initiated play and creativity: Jang(2016),discussed that western liberal philosophers have time and again emphasised on valuing children’s imagination, creative and curiosity.Positive contributions have been time and again taken in relation to children’s development. Teachers or guides have planned about development of younger children and evolve their inherent qualities like motivation, enthusiasm, self-preservation and desire to participate. Group activities and involvement in play since early age has helped in capturing attention of young children.According to Lichtman(1994), play is identified to be an activity that captures the attention of young children. While another thinkerMonk and Silman(2014), believes that children are more enthusiastic about participation. Babies and young children are powerful learners as they are willing to reach out in the world to make sense of every object they come across. During exploration and learning age they are naturally inclined towards playing. Play is identified as a unique activity that plays a key role in human wellbeing and development. In the developing pedagogy children are emphasised on learning and developing through an enhanced process which support development of knowledge through theory and practice(Preece, 2009). 2.3 Understanding child’s perception: Young student’s perception play an integral role in children’s learning through play and similar activities at early age. According to the psychologists Dr Karen Mclnnes when children are engaged in tasks under conditions they express unique behaviour which could be identified as conducive to learning. They concentrate more on tasks they identify as play in comparison to those activities that are not play according to their perceptions, such as adult games or lack of choice. Children demonstrate a greater sense of emotional development during activities perceived as play rather than those that are not identified as play(Sharp, 2005). Creating playful learning situations have been identified as a unique way of involving children since an early age into a process of learning through innovative activities and playful environment. As per children’s perception, studies have identified that children could approach a task in a playful manner and hence learning is optimised. Playful learning activity emphasises on efforts taken by both the children and the guide in involving them in learning through activity.Children love to play and their involvement in games therefore plays an important role in their lives. Play could be either quiet or noisy and develops as the child grows. When the child plays on their own, it has been perceived by young students that they play to explore or learn new things. They generally play for various reasons, such as to enhance their skill through practicing, enjoy simple fun and entertainment. Play has been further identified as a way of building and strengthening relationships. Children should improve their games while enjoying the playful environment(Silberg, 2006). 2.4 Successful outcomes of playful approaches: There are different types of approaches followed by children while playing, either alone or in a group. Solitary play, spectator play, parallel play, associative play and cooperative play are main types of play followed by children during their early period of growth and development.Children love to play both inside and outside and it has been underpinned that they benefit from both activities. While they participate enthusiastically in indoor games, outdoor activities help in boosting their confidence.Activities that could be done inside could be performed outside as well, hence children could play either inside or outside and grow in a defined manner(Hinchliffe, 2017). Young children have a store house of childhood memories that often return and revive memory. Adults who have helped them in experiencing such wonderful memory are looked upon by the children and they trust and value their involvement. Perception of the student here plays a key role in the psychological and emotional development of the young student. The memory of his young days when he played to learn are cherished at the moment and based on experiences often children decides on their future plan and growth. Games are unique techniques of encouraging involvement, team work and confidence boosting(Jang, 2016). Games and playful activities also help in improving individual performance and enhance living conditions. Analytical games improve knowledge and skill which helps in improving problem solving and ability to solve critical sums in the high schools. Thus each decision has a positive or negative impact on the child’s psychology and is either cherished or disliked as he grew up to be an adult person. Children develop at different rates and they have interests in different activities which arise from varied cultural backgrounds and unique families(Lichtman, 1994). Together these influences help in growth and learning. Schools and education institutes today incorporate various approaches to help in children’s growth and development in a complete manner. However, this approach is successful when students perceive their experiences in a positive and creative way and indulge into adoption of activities aiming at future growth and learning improvement(Monk and Silman, 2014). 2.5 Summary: Child initiated play has been perceived distinctively by the young students. Primarily the memory from their early years are cherished or revisited at every moment. Secondly, the experience has a positive or negative psychological impact depending on the nature of experience faced during playing at the early age. It is believed that the experience encourages proper growth in the child as he grows into a proper human being. References Gallahue, D., Donnelly, F. and Gallahue, D. (2003). Developmental physical education for all children. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Hinchliffe, G. (2017). Education, Learning and Freedom. Journal of Philosophy of Education. Jang, H. (2016). Children’s Perception of Private Education and Parental Roles Observed in Peer Conversations. The Korean Society for Child Education and Care, 16(4), pp.1-21. Lichtman, B. (1994). Innovative games. Champaign, IL [etc.]: Human Kinetics. Monk, J. and Silman, C. (2014). Active Learning in Primary Classrooms. Florence: Taylor and Francis. Preece, J. (2009). Lifelong learning and development. 1st ed. London: Continuum. Sharp, E. (2005). Learning through talk in the early years. London: Paul Chapman Pub. Silberg, J. (2006). Learning games. Beltsville, Md.: Gryphon House.