Middle Childhood Play - Case Study Example

Middle Childhood Play ` Children today have the environment to thank for providing them with pleasure, satisfaction, discovery and lastly something to explore. Play is what the young ones do or spend a considerably large amount of time doing from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Watching the children play helps understand a child’s universe and realize the role play has on a developing kid. Children learn about norms and expectations through play. Finally, kids get acquainted with themselves, others, consequences, rules and how the society works. On Monday the 26th of November I set out to observe one child by the name Joshua. It is a sunny afternoon in the Soweto slum, South Africa. Not much activity going on, but Joshua and friends would still find a way to have fun this sunny afternoon. Joshua is seven years of age, watching him go about his business was mind blowing. From his interaction with friends, it is safe to conclude that they were friends from school. Children set new goals when they join new schools or simply start their first grade. In addition to that children would then need to understand and form new relationships and eventually set new principles by which would help them judge or keep tubs on each other (middle and late childhood page). Consequently, this would lead to the formation of a small society just like in the case of Joshua. Children are natural learners and need guidance from their teachers to help them do the right thing. Joshua was so eager to know what lay behind a dumpster that was nearby. He asked one of his friends to take him, fearing that it could be dangerous. It is the nature of children to feel the need for self-accomplishment. The constructivist approach states that a child should at times be left to learn some issues on their own. Behind the dustbin, Joshua came across a leather bag (Santrock, 2003, p. 413). From his day to day interaction with the society Joshua explained to his friends that it was wrong to look or tamper with property that was not theirs. As the common saying goes, “curiosity killed the cat”, Joshua had to be aware of what was in the bag. Fortunately he found a ragged soccer ball. To him this was an opportunity to have some fun, but soccer cannot be plaid with only a couple of friends, they need more kids. Nearby was another gathering of kids, to my understanding they were complete strangers to Joshua, but, he gathered courage and asked them if they could play some ball. Soccer needs two teams, had a solution to this problem. His system of choosing two teams went something like this, ‘he put the other kids on a straight line and had them go on opposite sides, and he would join the team that had few players.’ This was a clear indication that children applied concrete operational thinking or thought in their everyday living. Joshua was able to logically assess the situation and derive a solution that saw ethnicity and brotherhood being reduced and promote fairness (Santrock, 2003, p. 354). More so, children are never asked to exercise regularly, but with each passing year an increased number of kids engage themselves in sports both in public and private schools (Santrock, 2003, p. 330). Participation in sports has had both negative and positive implications on children’s lives. It provides them with exercise, and boosts their self-esteem; help them create a healthy relationship with their peers. Persistence and would also help them learn how be competitive, Joshua was the fastest of the all and he would constantly boast about it. Sports enables a child evade the delicate issue of being obese. Obesity is a serious issue not only in the United States, but around the globe as well. Obese children often feel insecure and cannot engage in the normal day to day activities like their peers (Santrock, 2003, p. 331). Joshua had a pal that was overweight, and he could not get in the field because of his body physic. Every child wants to be something or someone when they grow up. Joshua occasionally referred to himself as Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid’s striker). Conformity is a monumental issue in the development of every child. Wanting to be someone else for Joshua helped him set goals for himself and him get good in soccer. Social comparison is, therefore, important in the development of a kid. However, discipline is another key step in early childhood development. The existence of discipline is closely linked with the ability of a child being able to control his or her emotions. Joshua towards the end was tripped by an opponent but, he was able to show composure and did not fight back. Joshua pointed out that his father always told him that it was wrong to throw punches, this, was quite intelligent of Joshua, who knows what could have happened? Intelligently he was able to solve that matter without bloodshed and hurting. Social cognition is thereby an important aspect of development, understanding this matter in their peers helps strengthen relationship, hence, reducing bullying (Santrock, 2003, p. 409). He was able to think clearly and better than his friends, even though, his other friends were inciting him to throw a blow (Santrock, 2003, p. 364). In one way or another adults influence the rules of play. Like Joshua could not through a punch because the father taught him it was wrong. Alternatively, teachers also help shape the rules of engagement during play time be it in the school or out of school (Santrock, 2003, p.331). Half an hour later satisfied with the findings it was clear that that the winning team bought themselves ice cream as a bonus or reward for a game well plaid. Children, often relate to activities in the presence of incentives upon achieving a specific goal. In conclusion, play is important in middle and late childhood development. Playing or participation in sports allows children make sense of their surroundings; helps them develop socially and culturally. It also enables children to convey their feelings and thought; helps them build on diverse and flexible thinking; provide situations for a child to encounter and solve real issues. Finally, children are able to develop their language, concepts and literacy skills. Works Cited Santrock, John. “Children.” (8 e.d.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Pp. 325- 416. Read More