Abstract
Abstract
Here, I invoke the phrase of the German philosopher Schiller 1805- 1759(when he said, “Man is truly human only when he plays,” as was referenced by the translator of The Psychology of Play within the World of Knowledge series. Play is no longer seen as mere frivolity, aimlessness, or unproductive activity. Instead, it is viewed as a cornerstone for the holistic development of a child’s personality across stages of lifeThe th century has often been referred to as the20 “Century of the Child,” where every aspect of a child’s personality was studied. While play is a natural human phenomenon practiced by individuals of all ages, it is especially central during childhood. A child finds tranquility and rest only when eating or sleeping; otherwise, they are actively engaged in play. With the dawn of the21 st century and the rapid advancements in modern technology, the development of games has reached unprecedented levels.This calls for an approach where the child’s capabilities are nurtured in a way that ensures healthy growth, starting with self-realization and extending to interactions with their environment. This includes understanding objects, engaging with peers, and fostering cognitive, psychological, and social development. Modern perspectives on play emphasize its role as a means of exploring the surrounding world. Play serves as a genuine indicator of a child’s vitality, especially given that human childhood differs from that of other living beings. Human childhood extends for a significantly longer period, necessitating considerable attention as it lays the foundation for future behavior.Between providing enjoyment for the child—an important goal in itself—and utilizing play in later stages of childhood, particularly when entering preschool and school, the importance of employing play emerges. Play should be harnessed to spark curiosity and passion in children. Thus, the need arose to integrate play into teaching and learning processes as an essential tool for fostering all aspects of a child’s personality.Play contributes to memory growth, enhances cognitive abilities and imagination, builds self-confidence, and teaches children how to navigate situations independently. It also helps them learn indirectly to respect rules, cooperate with others, and acknowledge others’ rights. Various interpretations of play—from viewing it as an outlet for excess energy to theories suggesting that play recapitulates the stages of human evolution—alongside behavioral, cognitive, and psychoanalytic perspectives, have all underscored its importance.Educators and pedagogues have concluded that play must be a cornerstone of upbringing and education. Play, at its core, helps alleviate anxiety in children. Nothing can achieve this as effectively as play. Moreover, play can reveal a child’s thoughts and feelings. For instance, when asked to draw their family, a child who depicts everyone inside the house except for one member outside may be expressing feelings of loneliness. A child afraid of the dentist might repeatedly play games where they act as the dentist.The famous saying, “I hear, and I forget; I see, and I remember; I do, and I understand,” highlights the necessity of providing children with numerous opportunities to gain experiences and skills through repetition, imitation, and experimentation. These activities help them understand their world and broaden their horizons. When children play together, they learn communication, negotiation, emotional expression, and conflict resolution.From the above, it becomes imperative to employ play in teaching methods, especially modern ones, to achieve dual goals: learning and enjoyment. This approach fulfills children’s natural needs while delivering knowledge in an engaging and exciting way, contributing to their comprehensive development across all dimensions
