The role of play in pre-school and younger school age children

• Main Author: Kopas-Vukašinović Emina
• Format: Article
• Language: srp
• Published: Institute for Educational Research, Belgrade 2006-01-01
• Series: Zbornik: Institut za Pedagoška Istraživanja
• Subjects: play; system of games; discontinuity in educational system; preschool age; school age
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0579-6431/2006/0579-64310601174K.pdf

The paper deals with the importance of play for children’s development and learning in institutionalized preschool education, as well as the opportunities it provides concerning the organization of teaching activities with younger school age children. The paper is based on the theoretical framework emphasizing educational character of children’s play, as a specific form of learning. Notwithstanding occasional attempts within pedagogic theory to deny educational values of children’s play and to emphasize instruction as the only form of systematic learning, contemporary pedagogic views consider play an important part of school education. Learning through play at younger school age helps overcome the discontinuity between preschool and school education. Curriculum subject matter can be covered through carefully selected and prepared play activities within the existing system, providing the support, encouragement and guidance by the adults involved, including their proper knowledge of children’ age-related and psycho-physical characteristics. Play facilitates gradual change over from preschool to school developmental stage, free, spontaneous and creative expression and the development of children’s potential.