Child's play in the early years : a focus on teachers' and parents' views

Abstract

Play is undoubtedly a means by which humans explore a variety of experiences in different situations for diverse purposes. Keeping this in mind, a detailed explanation of play and analysis, comparisons and conclusions, from 39 parents' interviews and 162 teachers' questionnaires are drafted in the study, focusing on the first seven years of childhood. Findings show that both government and private school teachers have more or less the right approach towards the concept of play. It is evident that one of the most important resources mentioned for the child is to have an adequate and a safe space available. An interesting issue highlighted by the government teachers, is the need to have more qualified and competent personneI to guide and include new ideas to the present education system through the concept of play. Negative and contradictive comments by parents and teachers regarding the children's interaction, achievements and benefits of play are frequently found in the results.