World at Play :: Why Play? ::

Many “theories of play” have been postulated and criticised by psychologists, psychiatrists, and sociologists. Though their reasons and justifications differ, all agree that play has intrinsic value. This value inheres to all types of play, including the “games and activities” style that members of World at Play expeditions will use when working with children in need.

This child had practised beforehand!

Physical Development

First, and perhaps most evidently, play has a function in physical development. Coordination of movement, control of objects, and improvement of reflexes have all been traced to games and activities. Also, the use of new skills in new environments has been shown to transfer to other activities.

Cognitive Development

Play also assists in cognitive development. It helps children to discriminate between more and less useful information, matures their cognitive abstraction abilities, and has even been shown to increase intelligence. Games and activities also assist in the refinement of abstract codes of behaviour. Furthermore, the cumulative nature means that such work will have both immediate and long-term effects.

Children in Bosnia patiently wait their turn.

There is definitely enough space on those crates for every to get on them, but can they find the most effective way?

Social Development

Social development is also assisted by play – from learning to handle difficult social situations, to acquiring new skills such as turn taking and sharing, to emotionally understanding others. Involvement of adults in play can help to impart these new and vital skills.

Also, games and activities specifically can lay the foundation for future social behaviour and communication, essentially teaching children about social rules systems.

Emotional Development

Last – but by no means least – play can assist children in their emotional development. By encouraging leadership, cooperation, competition, flexibility, and other skills, play contributes to children’s self-image.

The reason we play

In sum, the type of play encouraged by World at Play offers dynamic potential for children to develop. This potential outstrips that offered by unstructured or unorganised “free” play, and offers unique possibilities for therapeutic intervention.

These possibilities have been realised by specialists in “play therapy.” Such therapy is particularly important where free play itself is stifled. This often occurs in deprived or oppressed communities, such as those that expeditions organised by World at Play will visit.

Hands up who's having fun!

The children follow the explanation of the World at Play team so that they can start playing the game right away!

In fostering play, members of such an expedition team will have to be sensitive to cultural variables. The myriad of cultures visited will validate the “exchange” concept, but will also pose new challenges.

However, with sensitivity, consultation, and involvement of those adults responsible for the children visited, cross-ethnic play therapy has proven successful.

Such success is not unprecedented. From Dr. Patch Adams’ work with children around the world, to more psychiatrically documented instances of play therapy in isolated communities where the therapists are of a different culture from the children involved, play therapy has been shown to bring invaluable benefits on a global scale.

World at Play thus follows in the footsteps of previous instances of internationalised play therapy. With the cultural sensitivity of its members, and the involvement of local adults, future expeditions seem poised for immeasurable success.