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Value of Solitary Play
April 19, 2013
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
-Benjamin Franklin
-Benjamin Franklin
In their new book, From Play to Practice, Marcia Nell and Walter Drew, summarize the work of Monighan, Scales, Van Hoorn, and Almy (Looking at Children's Play, New York, Teachers College Press, 1987) on solitary play:
"There is little reason to assume that solitary play is less mature than interactive play, or that children always benefit from admonitions to share their toys. Instead, there may be good reason for fostering solitary play in the curriculum.
"The sense of mastery that children gain from solitary play seems to provide a solid base for cooperative play, sharing of ideas, and social negotiation that are also called for in educational settings. The opportunity to consolidate intellectual activities in a private context may also contribute to the development of problem-solving skills and a reliance on self-control in educational settings."
How do we help teachers deepen their understanding of the importance of play? How do we strengthen teachers' ability to skillfully and intentionally guide children's learning through play?When teachers engage in creative, open-ended play experiences, they learn firsthand the power of play. They also become more knowledgeable about the purposeful use of materials and intentional teaching strategies they can use to help children engage in open-ended play.
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 Commentsece consultant
Dallas, TX, United States
From my teaching experience, the children showed me that they needed solitary play, working in pairs, and then also in small and large group, depending on their age and experience.
CSBC
Denver, United States
I absolutely agree with this view that solitary play is critically important in a child's development. It is important on many levels, one of which being that it is the first stage in the progressive development of play. It sets the foundation for later forms of play. To push children out of solitary play weakens creating a solid foundation for later forms of play. I get so upset when people (no names mentioned) claim that social-dramatic play is "mature"! All play, at its correct developmental time, is mature.
United States
Oh I think solitary play helps in so many ways, other than educational readiness. It helps children imagine in ways they cannot when surrounded by others. It helps them discover and quietly contemplate their own thoughts and ideas. It helps them learn to be comfortable with themselves and not always reliant on being entertained. It's an opportunity to work things out without interference. A healthy balance of play alone and with others is important.
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