Our definition of play is 'A physical or mental leisure activity that is undertaken purely for enjoyment or amusement and has no other objective'.
There are other areas of human activity that may also be defined in this way hence the need for contextual elaboration.
For our purposes ‘play’ may assist learning and self development. It can be undertaken by individuals or groups of children spontaneously or as part of a planned activity. There isn’t any intervention so there is no need for clinical supervision, quality management, code of ethics or adult training. The only concern is that there is a physically safe environment. A question often raised today is whether children know how to play. This is probably a philosophical question since children's play is a natural activity essential for their healthy development. It may be that children play differently from their forebears.
Neuroscience research confirms the importance of play for infants in developing children's brains and minds. It has also been shown that exposure to metaphor and symbols, as used in play, has a beneficial effect upon the development of the brain.
See Also:
Play
Play Work
Therapeutic Play Work
Therapeutic Play
Filial Play
Play Therapy
Child Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology (CPCP)
Return to the Therapeutic Play Continuum
