Question 1
How is the play of children similar in all cultures? How does it differ from one society to another? How would you respond to the theory that children in some cultures play "less often" or "less well"? In your answer, identify major areas of variation and give examples from at least three different cultural groups.Question 2
Select a challenging condition which may be identified during the preschool years (hearing and visual impairments, autism, and cognitive disabilities are emphasized in the chapter). Write an essay on how this condition affects children's play and how teachers might intervene to enhance play opportunities for children with this exceptionality.Answer 1
Suggested Responses: Students should comment that children around the world play, though the amount of time they play and the types of games they choose vary greatly across cultures. They should note that in some cultures children engage in play-work and incorporate play into their chore responsibilities. Different kinds of toys are used in various cultural groups; in some communities there are no available toys at all. Students should emphasize that these differences do not imply that certain cultures play "less often" or "less well," but rather that play must be defined in a culturally sensitive way. Students should note three examples from Chapter 12 of diverse approaches to play.Answer 2
Suggested Responses: Students should highlight the ways the condition they have selected limit play: children with perceptual abilities have trouble recognizing and communicating about make believe. Children with cognitive disabilities engage in less mature play and prefer functional play to make believe. When left to their own devices, children with autism play very little with others. Students should offer interventions - proposed in the chapter - for enhancing play for children of the selected exceptionality.