The Importance of Play

[LaverneShirley]

Hey everybody! I was wondering if I might ask for a bit of help on something?

I'm taking gym this summer, and we were given a writing assignment: an essay on the importance of play. Now, so far I've come up with the following reasons play is important:

- a way to maintain physical fitness (if regular)
- entertainment value (ball games)
- social benefits (way to meet new people)
- recreational benefits (something to do)

I was wondering if anyone has any other ideas, or if anyone knows whether there's an economic value of benefit of play as well? I'm sure sports and gym classes affect the economy in some way, but is it helpful or harmful or what? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[AllIWantIsYourClutch]

I guess it could be harmful...not to the "economy" itself but like, the school's money. All the equipment and crap prolly costs a lot. Don;t mind me. I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Meg07945]

Well, it gives people jobs (gym teachers).

Another aspect to social benefits: helps you learn to work with a team, etc

[vienna waits]

You actually have to write an essay for gym class?? Gym teachers can read?..................................................kidding.. well sort of.

[LaverneShirley]

Originally posted by tootieismyfav
You actually have to write an essay for gym class?? Gym teachers can read?..................................................kidding.. well sort of.

ROFL. Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it? What's worse is the morning class doesn't have to write the essay. Why? Because there's a lot of people in that class and Mr. Brandenburg doesn't want to take the time to grade them (There's about 60 in the morning, while there's only about 25 in the afternoon).

[FOLrocks1]

Originally posted by LaverneShirley


ROFL. Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it? What's worse is the morning class doesn't have to write the essay. Why? Because there's a lot of people in that class and Mr. Brandenburg doesn't want to take the time to grade them (There's about 60 in the morning, while there's only about 25 in the afternoon).

Okay....That's just stupid! Why would you do that!?!?!? I hate gym teachers! Except for one i had b4. I had this gym teacher who was probably about 70 yeards old! We would do the same thing we did in Kgd. up till 4th grade! We would have to throw a ball up in the air and catch it! How stupid is that!?!?!!? We never got to PLAY sports she just showd us different tequenics SP? We also had to write songs, poems, do origomi, and do dances! I HATE HER!!! LOL

[Plata]

Originally posted by FOLrocks1
We also had to write songs, poems, do origomi, and do dances! I HATE HER!!! LOL

I had a gym teacher in ninth grade that made the class do a dance unit and we had to dance stupid dances like the dosie doe.

There were other dances, but they were so stupid, I've forgotten the names of them.

[TibbyTibby2]

Yeah well... We HAD to do a whole unit on LINE DANCING!!!!


AAAHHHHH THAT STUNK!

BUTwe did do like hip dances not like dosie doe we did like Cha-cha slide- cotton eye joe- a nd Man, i feel like a woman

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

It relieves stress, and releases endorphins which make you feel better.

[ks]

Originally posted by Charlotte Rae Fan
It relieves stress, and releases endorphins which make you feel better.

Yeah, my gym teacher gave us a quiz on endorphins and why it is important to release them. Not only does it make you feel better but it is supposed to help make your mind sharped.

Your point about physical fitness, L&S is really good. Without stretching and exercising on a regular basis then you have problems later on...my friend is experiencing that now. She never had gym so now her muscles haven't developed properly because she was a couch potato. If she had had gym at least she would gotten some exercise...






ks

[Montana Ponine]

It keeps you from going completely bananas. People shouldn't be loaded with work and stress all the time!

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

Originally posted by Montana Ponine
It keeps you from going completely bananas. People shouldn't be loaded with work and stress all the time!

good point..although..I wouldn't mind going bananas every once in a while...I like the idea of all work and no play...in fact, I was just talking to my friend about this the other day, I would totally rather stay home where there's no a/c and babysit a one year old, than go on vacation....she said I was nuts...maybe I am...AND...I hate P.E.

[Bootsy Whoosh]

Hmmm.... well are you asking about play or are you asking about sport? Sociologists make a definite distinction between "play", which is unstructured games that more often little children play, and "sport" which are highly structured activites more commonly engaged in by older children. In my mind there is a difference, so I hesititate to respond until I know exactly what it is you need. It seems to me you are asking aboutthe importance of sport...

[LaverneShirley]

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh
Hmmm.... well are you asking about play or are you asking about sport? Sociologists make a definite distinction between "play", which is unstructured games that more often little children play, and "sport" which are highly structured activites more commonly engaged in by older children. In my mind there is a difference, so I hesititate to respond until I know exactly what it is you need. It seems to me you are asking aboutthe importance of sport...

You see, I thought there was a difference too. But my teacher gave the assignment as (and these are his exact words) "A 2-3 page essay, size 14 font, double-spaced, on the importane of play." And everyone was really confused. We had no idea what he meant. So we asked, and he said "Play. Physical activity, athleticim, sports, that kind of thing." So I guess he doesn't think there's a difference.