② Children’s Play And Playground
When I went to the Amsterdam Eye Film museum in 2019, I saw Francis Alys’s exhibition. He works on videos showing the games of children around the world. His works are playful, imaginative and rich observations of social situations and, sometimes, politically moments and places. Francis Alys follows the children patiently, moving with their movements, but he never gets involved in their games. Surrounding noises are audible: birds, crickets, the wind, the laughter and screams of children. We see the harsh conditions in which the children sometimes live. We are drawn into an extended moment in their lives. Despite the sometimes wretched conditions of war and poverty, the overarching mood among the children is bright and cheerful, even optimistic.
Children’s games constitute a mysterious tradition within which generation after generation of children familiarise themselves with the rules and goals of games, mostly without the invention of their parents, teachers or other adults. When I was young, I also had the experience of making my own game. The game would have been a game with my own fantasy. Perhaps everyone has such an experience. I usually picked my favourite animal from an Animal encyclopedia, drew pictures, cut them, and played with my friends. Rules can change at any time. It was good that there was no limit. I think the play is the perfect means of expressing the power of the external side and inner self.
I scanned some play pages in his book.
It’s ‘Elastic’ play and ‘Hoop and Stick’ play, the materials and patterns interesting, so I’m going to use elastic materials and circle patterns for my project.
Children’s games constitute a mysterious tradition within which generation after generation of children familiarise themselves with the rules and goals of games, mostly without the invention of their parents, teachers or other adults.
When I was young, I also had the experience of making my own game. The game would have been a game with my own fantasy. Perhaps everyone has such an experience. I usually picked my favourite animal from an Animal encyclopedia, drew pictures, cut them, and played with my friends. Rules can change at any time. It was good that there was no limit. That’s how my imagination and curiosity expanded and I still enjoy imagining.
The role of play in children’s lives varies. It helps the body develop large and small muscles and five senses, protects oneself in dangerous situations, and learns how to stay safe. It leads to language development by expressing one’s feelings and opinions in language to try to communicate with others. Play leads to the formation of social relationships. In social relationships, children can develop the ability of others to understand thoughts and emotions and acquire social skills to live in cooperation with each other. It also helps develop awareness such as concentration, initiative, self-esteem, independence, and problem-solving skills in the process of creating and solving various problems. Children can develop an understanding of the order and process and feel psychological stability. And expand and express imagination, creativity, and curiosity.
I think the play is the perfect means of expressing the power of the external side and inner self.
According to Barbara Hendricks’ book, it is said that the physical environment, time to play, other children and adults, play environment, and cultural understanding have external effects. In addition, when discussing the pedagogical aspects of play behaviour or play items, the interrelationship of the aforementioned effects should be recognised, and play cannot be separated from internal and external influences. Not only was the shape of the children’s play seen on the outside but also the theoretical shape of the play was interesting.
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