Exploring need for Enhancing Play Activity Time in School Settings for Holistic Development of Learners.

Abstract

“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori. 
There is no end to significant quotations embarked by Child Psychologists and experts related to play if we explore. And in depth understanding of these lines indicates that without Play life is meaningless for child. But in present time access to free time has been reduced due to impact of one or other factors such as current life style, changes in family pattern, increased academic pressure and unsafe spaces for children until and unless they are under close supervision of adults or care givers and place of physical aspects of play taken by digital world. In the present study researcher has probed to explored significance of play for holistic development of learners through observation schedule and focused group discussion as a tool in real school settings. Sample comprised of students from class VI-VIII and teachers of elementary classes from selected schools which comprised of approximately of 10 schools and locale for the study was Private Schools from North East Delhi which were part of Internship programme of B.Ed trainees of one of the GGSIP University affiliated B.Ed College in East Delhi. Observation schedule included items covering all aspects of development to analyse role of play activities Similarly FGD was conducted with school teacher to know their perspective about relevance of play activities and need for the same in school settings. From analysis and interpretations of findings it was revealed that in more than 50% schools playground was missing and hardly one games period in a week was given. Mostly students were indulged in their self created games as provision for outdoor games was less. Further findings through observation lead to conclusion that play activities contribute to holistic development of learners. On FGD with teachers it was interpretated that play activities helped them in dealing with socio psychological problems of learners but there is lack of human and non human resources for support of play activities for students in school environment both in term of physical and social resources. On the basis of findings of study researcher has also given few strategies so that play activities can be given due importance for holistic development of learners in school settings.