Play in the foundation phase classroom:

It is prominent in various African cultures and the general African context, where we usually find elements of play when people engage with music and dance activities 

Three types of play in children's culture:

Tradition: here rules are important. This form of play is to be fixed. Lot of children's games are traditional as they have rules which needs to be followed and are seldom broken 

Open: is a form of improvisation. Although open play includes ruled, these rules may be changed according to the needs of children while playing. The construction of the entire setting is important 

Original: a play that is creative and based on curiosity. Original is mostly a one person game where he/she amuses themselves with objects, actions and sound 

Characteristics of play:

Olay is personally motivated: in order for an activity to be called play, the player must choose to participate 

Play is active: all play experiences require some active involvement on the part of the player 

Play is often non literal: children at play can suspend reality,  usually with the magic words like let's pretend 

Play has no extrinsic goals: lets say a child is arranging a set of letters on a magnetic board

Players supply meaning to play: children sometimes explore or use materials in ways specified by others , but when playing,  they provide their own interpretation of materials 

Play has no extrinsic rules: if an activity is to be considered play, the players must be able to alter the rules of the activity as needed 

Levels of play:

We have...

1. Solitary play 

2. Onlooker play

3. Parallel play 

4. Associative play

5. Cooperative play

There are sevel elements of play: 

1. Play involves state of mind and disposition 

2. Play contains elements of surprise and challenge

3. Play involves a process, attitude,  and structure 

4. Play is voluntary and unifying, forming part of the socializing process 

5. Play involves aesthetic quality judgement by participants 

6. Play creates informal space for socio- historical comment

7. Play reinforces societal roles 

Genres of play and games:

Clapping with body action games

Clapping and singing games 

Stone passing game

Dancing play 

Music- drama play 

Examples of games:

Singing games: canon, down by the river 

Circle games/ stone passing: bhombela

Action/ clapping games: bim bum