Play and Exploration in Children and Animals

Play and Exploration in Children and Animals
Author: Thomas G. Power
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 574
Release: 1999-11-01
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1135690561

Play is a paradox. Why would the young of so many species--the very animals at greatest risk for injury and predation--devote so much time and energy to an activity that by definition has no immediate purpose? This question has long puzzled students of animal behavior, and has been the focus of considerable empirical investigation and debate. In this first comprehensive and state-of-the-art review of what we have learned from decades of research on exploration and play in children and animals, Power examines the paradox from all angles. Covering solitary activity as well as play with peers, siblings, and parents, he considers the nature, development, and functions of play, as well as the gender differences in early play patterns. A major purpose is to explore the relevance of the animal literature for understanding human behavior. The nature and amount of children's play varies significantly across cultures, so the author makes cross-cultural comparisons wherever possible. The scope is broad and the range multidisciplinary. He draws on studies by developmental researchers in psychology and other fields, ethologists, anthropologists, sociologists, sociolinguists, early childhood educators, and pediatricians. And he places research on play in the context of research on such related phenomena as prosocial behavior and aggression. Finally, Power points out directions for further inquiry and implications for those who work with young children and their parents. Researchers and students will find Play and Exploration in Children and Animals an invaluable summary of controversies, methods, and findings; practitioners and educators will find it an invaluable compendium of information relevant to their efforts to enrich play experiences.

Play and Exploration in Children and Animals

Play and Exploration in Children and Animals
Author: Thomas G. Power
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 512
Release: 1999-11
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 113569057X

Play is a paradox. Why would the young of so many species--the very animals at greatest risk for injury and predation--devote so much time and energy to an activity that by definition has no immediate purpose? This question has long puzzled students of animal behavior, and has been the focus of considerable empirical investigation and debate. In this first comprehensive and state-of-the-art review of what we have learned from decades of research on exploration and play in children and animals, Power examines the paradox from all angles. Covering solitary activity as well as play with peers, siblings, and parents, he considers the nature, development, and functions of play, as well as the gender differences in early play patterns. A major purpose is to explore the relevance of the animal literature for understanding human behavior. The nature and amount of children's play varies significantly across cultures, so the author makes cross-cultural comparisons wherever possible. The scope is broad and the range multidisciplinary. He draws on studies by developmental researchers in psychology and other fields, ethologists, anthropologists, sociologists, sociolinguists, early childhood educators, and pediatricians. And he places research on play in the context of research on such related phenomena as prosocial behavior and aggression. Finally, Power points out directions for further inquiry and implications for those who work with young children and their parents. Researchers and students will find Play and Exploration in Children and Animals an invaluable summary of controversies, methods, and findings; practitioners and educators will find it an invaluable compendium of information relevant to their efforts to enrich play experiences.

Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood

Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood
Author: Patty Born Selly
Publisher: Redleaf Press
Total Pages: 182
Release: 2014-04-21
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1605543535

Understand the value of connecting animals and children From family pets and wild animals to toys, stuffed animals, and media images, animals are a central part of every child’s landscape. This book examines the reasons why children should interact and connect with real animals, and it identifies the rich learning that results. You’ll find heaps of foundational support and practical ideas to create authentic experiences that bring children and all kinds of species of animals together—including many adaptations if live animals are not permitted in your setting. Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood Examines the basic qualities that make animals so appealing to children Explains how animals impact children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and inter- and intrapersonal development and growth Includes an overview of the many ways animals are present in children’s lives Introduces authentic experiences with animals that are supportive of children’s understanding and learning, and respectful to both animals and people Provides real-life examples of how to bring animals into your classroom with suggestions for planning, ideas for finding the right pet, and resources for making experiences meaningful, relevant, and joyful for children Patty Born Selly is executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As the founder of Small Wonders, an educational consulting company offering services to schools, faith-based communities, and other organizations, Patty has developed hundreds of classes to help programs incorporate nature, science, and green education.

Play, Playfulness, Creativity and Innovation

Play, Playfulness, Creativity and Innovation
Author: Paul Patrick Gordon Bateson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 167
Release: 2013-07-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1107015138

Examines the role of playfulness in animal and human development, highlighting its links to creativity and, in turn, to innovation.

Animal Exploration Lab for Kids

Animal Exploration Lab for Kids
Author: Maggie Reinbold
Publisher: Quarry Books
Total Pages: 147
Release: 2020-06-09
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1631597329

Animal Exploration Lab for Kids is your go-to introduction to the wonderful world of animals. This family-friendly animal reference guide features fun activities designed to enhance your understanding of, and love for, the animal kingdom as you: Explore the techniques that researchers use to study animals Investigate the adaptations and behaviors that make animals so unique Study how animals sense and respond to the world around them Discover new ways to support and conserve your amazing animal neighbors For example, in Unit 1 you'll use a trail camera to document animals around your home and in Unit 2, you'll examine the usefulness of blubber in keeping polar animals warm. Each lab in the book is designed to help you build new knowledge and skills around animal science and are broken into the following sections: Safety Tips & Helpful Hints provides additional guidelines and insights for successfully conducting each lab. Procedure provides details about the individual steps in each lab so you’ll know just what to do. Creative Enrichment helps you think about how to take your experiment even further. The Science Behind the Fun provides a simple description of the science that supports the lab and other background information. Species Spotlight highlights a unique species from around the world. Conservation Action provides useful tips that will help you conserve wildlife. With Animal Exploration Lab for Kids, you don’t have to take a trip to the zoo to start learning about the animal kingdom. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 587
Release: 2015-07-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309324882

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Choice Time

Choice Time
Author: Renée Dinnerstein
Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780325077659

Inquiry based play; Centers for reading; writing; mathematics and science

The Nature of Play

The Nature of Play
Author: Anthony D. Pellegrini
Publisher: Guilford Press
Total Pages: 332
Release: 2005-01-01
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9781593851170

"Comprehensive and up to date, this tightly edited volume belongs on the desks of researchers and students in developmental psychology, comparative psychology, animal behavior, and evolutionary psychology, and will also be of interest to anthropologists. It is a richly informative text for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses."--BOOK JACKET.

The Significance of Children and Animals

The Significance of Children and Animals
Author: O. Gene Myers
Publisher: Purdue University Press
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2007
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1557534292

What role does an animal play in a child's developing sense of self? This book addresses these and other intriguing questions by revealing the interconnected lives of the inhabitants of the preschool classroom with birds, turtles, bugs, and other creatures. This book will be delightful and rewarding for parents, educators, and students of early childhood social development, as well as scholars of the intersection of human experience and the natural environment.