Games in learning

Abstract

This work is intended to show the importance of games and Physical Education in the learning process. The first chapter is a brief introduction to the dissertation explaining how the subject matter is going to be tackled as you go along. In the second chapter entitled PLAY, the theories of play are explained and then there is also a classification of different types of play. The psychological benefits of play on the child are then considered, also giving PIAGET' S theory of play and ending with the social content of play. The third chapter, AIMS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, deals about the importance of Physical Education in the school curriculum and gives the aims of Physical Education and how these correlate with play in the early childhood. In the fourth chapter STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD, the different aspects of development from birth to late childhood are explained. These comprise the physical development, the development of motor skills, affective development and finally development of the cognitive domain. Chapter five RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL TEACHING OF GAMES, deals with the aims and objectives of games teaching, it also mentions the values of games and gives recommendations on the most effective methods of teaching games. It ends with a classification and definition of skill and explains and suggests what should be done so that teaching and learning takes a developmental approach for the benefit of the child and the education system. The last chapter of this dissertation ,which is the CONCLUSION ,gives some concluding remarks about what should our responsibilities as Physical Educators be if we are to teach developmentally appropriate games