Responses to Reading "The Power of Play" :

After completing Elkind's book, "The Power of Play", students are asked to prepare a short, 2- to 3-page paper. The six "Guiding Questions" will provide some direction the writing of yourpaper.In addition to answering these questions, students are asked to summarize how information gained from this text will inform their own professional practice. The purpose of this assignment is not to summarize all of the content contained in this text. Rather, this assignment should be used to stretch your thinking with regard to the importance of thepower of play in children's learning.

This assignment should be submitted using "dropbox".

The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally (David Elkind)

Guiding Questions

1. In his introduction (p. ix) David Elkind highlights the decreased amount of time today's children have available for play. He discusses related physiological and psychological consequences for children. What changes have you observed in children that may be attributable to decreased time for play? What differences from your own childhood play experiences exist? How are these changes manifested in different environments for children (e.g., home, school, neighborhood, etc)?

2. In Chapter 2, Elkind presents information linking children's changed play experiences with changes in toys currently provided to many of them. What are your reactions to his discussion, particularly with regard to his "all the time toys", "sensational toys", and "microchip toys"? How have societal changes affected "historical" toy choices, including character toys, skill toys and educational toys? Have these changes, in general, been positive or negative? Why?

3. The message that parents and schools need to do everything in their power to "get kids ready" for their next steps is pervasive today. Elkind discusses this perspective in Chapter 4 (pp. 63-85). What factors in our society are most influential in providing this message to parents? To teachers? How can educational professionals assist parents in steering clear of potential reactions to this message, including hyper-parenting, over-protection and over-programming? What has/would work for you as a parent? As an educator?

4. Elkind presents the role of play in children's socialization in Chapter 7 (pp. 145-168). What challenges related to social interactions and skills do you observe in children with whom you work? What strategies do you employ to assist children in developing socialization skills?

5. Many parents today appear to have abandoned the joyful aspects of their parental role. Elkind discusses this issue in Chapter 8 (pp. 171-193). Provide examples of individuals who appear to parent "light heartedly" and give specifics about what makes them successful in this approach. What education or strategies might assist other parents and families in this area?

1. Elkind discusses play experiences that are so powerful and so positive that they remain an indelible memory throughout one's life. Think of a play experience that affected you so strongly that you remain aware of it, and strengthened by it, as an adult. What made this interaction so powerful? Think about who was there, where you were playing, what time of day this interaction occurred and what kind of play happened. Try to tease out specific elements that set this experience apart from other play interactions. Share your thoughts with your group and look for common elements that might exist. Spend some time strategizing about how this type of information can be used to insure that children today have play experiences that build similar positive messages