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Big Body Play
December 13, 2011
"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken."
-Frank Herbert
-Frank Herbert
"We know that play such as socio-dramatic play, board games, play to explore objects and learn shapes and textures, finger plays and chants to improve self-regulation, and play that involves building things has myriad benefits for children. But the fleeing, tagging, climbing, tumbling, and wrestling that most young children seem to crave is also play and is equally beneficial.
"As we might assume, there are also abundant positive effects for physical development when children are active in their play. We know, for example, that when teachers involve children in physical exercise with intentional planning, children can practice and develop a variety of physical skills and gain optimum health benefits.
"But big body play is not just physical activity with physical benefits. During such play, children also use increasingly sophisticated communication skills — both verbal and nonverbal — and social skills. It is also one of the best ways for children (especially boys) to develop empathy and self-regulation. And creativity and thinking skills are enhanced as children determine and solve problems as they arise in the course of this active play."
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Comments (1)
Displaying 1 CommentUnited States
While I might agree that this type of play is beneficial I can not see it being excepted in group settings. Most people are afraid that children will get hurt and also afraid that parents and others will not understand. I have boys of my own and understand how they play, I learned a lot about them and their relationship with one another by how they played. I also learned my own tolerance level. I am not sure of the circumstances that this type of play be tolerated in group settings.
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