Citation

Sharma A, Khosla R. ICCW News Bull 1992; 40(3-4): 60-65.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Indian Council for Child Welfare)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12318360

Abstract

An overview is provided of essential features of play environments for children which enhance their creative development: play space, play environments, equipment for play, safe equipment, creative adult input, and time factors. Safety measures are described along with a list of do's and don'ts. Management of play areas and the training of educators were also discussed. Arguments are given as support for creative play provisions, but the conclusion is that the trend is to restrict children's expression, to limit their freedom, to impose limits to action and thought, to encourage normative behavior, and to inhibit creative thinking. Space requirements are that the area be ample. In rural and tribal areas, space is unlimited; in cities, creative use of space may involve use of terraces, enclosed courtyards, dead end road areas free of traffic, or a large open area away from traffic. In spite of space limitations, children tend to adapt to the space available. For instance, a pipe sticking out of a wall could be a bar to swing on. Effective use of space is dependent on organization and structuring. In rural areas, children learn by their own discoveries, and many are denied the exposure to educators who can organize their play or play objects to foster creativity. Play is divorced from work and learning, when it can also be structured to offer opportunities for development of cognitive skills. Stimulating play environments may include a mound of earth that separates one part of an open space from another; children find looking to see what is on the other side intriguing. Children can run up and down the hill. A sand pit with building and digging instruments can provide hours of fascination. A water hole with stones could provide a place to jump across and foster imaginative games. A tunnel could be carved out of the hill to provide a place of dramatic play. A low tree with a twisted trunk is inviting for climbing, swinging, jumping, or playing hide and seek. Play equipment should be simple, natural, everyday objects, available at low cost and able to withstand rough use. Highly structured equipment tends to be ignored over time. Rope, drums, old tires, wooden planks and poles, metal pipes, sacks, and cardboard boxes are some types of equipment that are described for play use. These discarded objects must be safe and can be enhanced with a fresh coat of nontoxic paint.

Language: en