Often people will think that play is just play. The child just play and won’t learn anything. The fact is that the child learn when he/she plays. A child only know what is play as this is a spontaneous act. A child doesn’t need to be taught on how to play but they must be guided when they play to achieve the learning objective.

During playing, the child will explore with his/her senses that helps them in solving problems. For example, he/she tries to fit a round block to the square hole but couldn’t fit it in. This will prompt him/her to find other hole that can fit the round block. Once he/she found it, they will know that only round hole can fit a round block. With the guidance from the teachers and parents by telling the child the colour of the block and the shape of the block will also help the child in learning about shapes and colour besides solving problems.

Not only that, when playing, the child can accquire fine and gross motor skills. It will also help them concentrate, enhance their imagination, and socialise with other children.

The thoeries below will help in creating understanding about play:

• Classical theory is trying to justify the reasons of playing.
  - Surplus energy theory: To release the energy from the body.
  - Relaxation theory: To restore energy to the body.
  - Recapitulation theory: To enhance/mature the skills that were learnt previously.
  - Pre-exercise theory: To learn new skills for the future.
• Dynamic theory
  - Psycho dynamic theory: To eliminate fear, as a therapy and to communicate. Pretend play will allow children to cope with their lives when they have trouble managing directly.
  - Constructivist theory: There are 3 levels:-
  >> Level 1 – Sensory stage(infants)
  They will modify one’s concept or behaviour known as accommodation. For example, the infant imitate an adult painting with a paintbrush.
  >> Level 2 – Pre-shcool to kindergarten children(4-6 years old)
  Accquire knowledge from their environment through experiences. Dramatic or pretend play whereby assimilation is dominating accommodation. For example, moulding clay into a pie or pretend to be a doctor.
  >> Level 3 – Children 6 years old and above
  Game with rules such as playing football, basketball, boardgames etc.
• Contemporary theory: The teacher will provide the environment for the children to nurture children’s play by setting up various corners in school such as mathematics corner, kitchen corner, shop corner etc.