102 PLAYGROUND OBSERVATION
PLAYGROUND OBSERVATION
OBSERVATION OF CHILDREN
AT PLAY
Day-1
HOPSCOTCH
A
group was observed. The group had both girls and boys. The size if the group
was small. There were 8 children in the group. The duration of the game was 30
minutes. Before the game to be started, the rules and regulation were
discussed. The leader announced the rules of the whole game. The rules were
Props: Chalk, taw (stone,
stick, woodchip),
The students describe the
patterns they use and eventually the variations of taw they used although they
were not familiar with the expression 'taw'. They explained that they might
throw the stone or beanbag into a square and then hop all the way to the other
end and pick up the object on their way back. Other informants mentioned
throwing a dice and hopping to the square shown on the dice.
Hopscotch was a game where the children utilise a
configuration of squares painted onto the asphalt (usually drawn by the
children, or scraped/gouged into ground). One then throws an agreed object, for
which these children had no name, onto a square to which they hop to and pick
up the object - they progress through the configuration square by square until
they reached the other end and then repeat the same on opposite leg - and so
on.
It
took 10 minutes to begin the game. Boys and
girls were playing Hopscotch in the extra-long hopscotch pattern painted on the
ground. They did not use a 'taw', and were just hopping from one number to
another and out the other end. There were no breaks during the games. They kept playing
until the bell rang. Throw... stand... hop... stop... bend... pick up...
straighten up... leap... jump... hop... hop... Land... turn... and repeat were
the frequent phrases and words used by the students.
Hopping on
one foot is one of the most complex movements the human body can perform. For children, hopping signals sophisticated advances in physical
coordination, balance, and cognitive development. It's those exact same pathways which will one
day become the conduits for left/right brain thinking tasks such as creativity,
reasoning, and self-regulation. Hopscotch was a master at helping children
master self control. Balancing was an essential building block to all physical
movement, and cognitive, emotional, and social growth as well.
Hopscotch
adds one more wrinkle -- the delicate control of the finger muscles to reach
and retrieve the pebble. Hopscotch was a great "social
campfire" for children. The simple, repetitive rules make it easy
for children to learn and play and stay engaged in the game when it's not their
turn. Friendships begin on the playground because kid-sized social experiences
like Hopscotch create the
framework for learning about peer relationships.
When light-hearted competition is
introduced into play time, kids naturally pushed themselves to be better. No
one needs to stand on the sidelines encouraging them. The natural, human drive to succeed is all
the incentive they need to try harder.
When children develop good sportsmanship, they
are developing the skills and attitudes they'll need for a well-balanced
approach to life. Because in the end, winning feels great but losing build character.
Day 2
Kho-
Kho
Name of the game –Kho Kho
Size of the group- Large
Age of students of group- 13 years and class viii
Number of children involved – 12 students
Duration of game- 30 minutes
Rules and regulation
One team has to sit on same distance
with each other in a row and one member runs and the one member of other team
chases the other. There are two poles after touching that he can run in that
direction.
Strategy- Few students who had some doubt about the game were
discussed and they decided to run as fast as they can and caught the member of
other person
Starting of game – The students divided themselves in two groups of 8
students and they tossed a coin to start the game.
Break taken- yes there was a break for drinking water.
Leader of the game – Both the teams had a leader who asked them to run when
the running person touched him.
Star of the game- Two students were running very fast and with their
technique they were able to chase the opponent.
Use of fine motor skill- Yes fine motor skills were used
while giving the pass to sitting member and touching the pole.
Use of gross motor skills- yes, gross motor skills were used
for running and chasing.
Language used- They were interacting nicely at the starting but in middle
of the game team B got little aggressive and they were shouting at other team
members.
All students went to play kho-kho
in the playground, Class was divided
into two groups of 12 students each, and the duration of game was 30 minutes.
Since all the students were used to play this game since long, so nobody
explained the rules and regulation particularly. But those who had doubts were
asking from their friends circle. Some common rules and regulation of Kho –Kho
game like, each team consists of 12 players, but only 9 players take the field.
A match consists of two innings with each inning consisting of chasing and
running turns of 9 minutes each. One team sits/kneels in the middle of the
court, in a row, with adjacent members facing opposite directions. The runners
take to the field, 3 at a time and the team that takes the shortest time to
tag/tap all the opponents in the field, wins. There is a pole on each end and
the runner can go between two players who are sitting in zigzag manner, but the
chaser is not allowed to turn back while running and go between the players.
But chaser can go to pole and touch it and can go back or go to other side. All
students were so excited and all were coordinating very well with each other.
The students were already divided into two
groups. Since they were used to play games .So no much time was taken by the
students to start the game. All were prepared how to play and their role in the
team .And all students was very active and having good motor skills to play. In
between some were taking break for water drinking, since all were carrying
water bottle with them in the playground. Some were taking break to buckle
their shoes .Some students was busy in motivating other students by calling
their name. Each team had their own leader, who was continuously busy in
co-ordination and guiding them, calling their team member to take their change
to play. And most importantly they were maintaining harmony among them self and
with other team. No winner or star was selected since period got over in
between. Students were refining their gross and fine motor skills by running,
jumping, touching etc .As per the observation all the students were well
disciplined and they were using Hindi and English words. Some students were
helping other, motivating each others. Though, some students was disturbing
other, distracting their class mates by shouting, false sentences but later on
caught by teacher as teacher was very alert and active. No biasness or no
special treatment was given by the girls to boys or boys to girls were observed
.All players were equally participating in the game.
Day 3
Badminton
Name of the game- Badminton
Size-
Small
Number of students playing- 2
Duration- 30 minutes
Rules and regulations
Two badminton and a shuttle cock is required
both the player hit the shuttle with the racket and if the shuttle touches the
ground that person looses a point.
Strategy- They both decided not to touch the net and if the shuttle
touches the net it will be foul.
Starting- They both started by serving the shuttle in the air after
hitting it by racket.
Break taken- One break taken when a friend of them came they interacted
with that person.
Star of the game – The boy who scored less point was perfect in that game.
Use of fine motor skill-Yes, fine motor skills were used by
students for holding the racket with hands and from the ground.
Gross motor skills- To move the hand in air and hit the shuttle and run to
chase the shuttle.
Language- Both the players were nicely talking to each other. No harsh
or abusive wording was used.
Favour done- No it was a fair game play.
Participation-Both the participants were active.
One other day very less students
were present in the class since it was the coldest day, many of them were
absent, some who were present went to the playground to play. Teacher suggested
them to play badminton in court since strength was less for all other game; as they
would need more players. So then they start playing badminton in court, I
observed students while playing. They primarily start with toss before
conducting the game. The teams who won got choose between serving first or to
start play at either end of the court. Winning team start with the serving
.Duration of the game was forty five minute. Teacher gave a brief about some rules
as all were already aware of rules and regulations
Not much time was taken by the
students to start the game, as all were aware and excited to start the game.
They were playing single. Rest all students were sitting a side and waiting
players performance, motivating them, some were trying to distract students
were stopped by the coach later. Coach was also writing scores on score board.
After completing one match other students took their badminton to perform, they
all were playing very well and turn by turn. Some student took break for
drinking water. Students were behaving very well with each other. No
discrimination was seen in between girls’ and boys’ .Students used their gross
and fine motor skills both while playing.
Day 4
Volley Ball
Name of the game-Volley Ball
Size of the group during game-Large
No. Of children involve in the game-8
Duration of the game-40minutes
Rules and Regulation-
1) In Volley ball ,players work
together to return the ball over the net in three hits or fewer ,without
letting the ball touch the ground.
2) Players follow the proper
rotational order through each set.
3) Each time a team gains the right
to serve its players must rotate one position clockwise.
4) If the serve hits the hit the net
or lands out of found, the serves team loses the point.
Strategy/Discussion on rules&
regulation-
1) They decided to play a fair game
play following all the rules.
2) If any player hits the ball twice
in succession or contacts the ball illegally by palming, catching or throwing
it. This team loses the point.
3) If any player touches the net of
net posts, her team loses the point.
Starting of the game-
1) Team
captains complete a coin toss before the game to determine the team will
serve
first.
2) 8
students divided themselves into two teams. Each team appointed a caption.
Break taken during the game-1
Break taken.
Leader of the game-Each team has
its leader, who was guided them and helping them to maintain the harmony between
both teams.
Star of the game-One boy who was
very active and played very well was a member of winning team.
Use of fine motor skill-Students
used their hands for catching and picking the ball and also at the time of
toss.
Use of gross motor skill- The
students were running and jumping in the court to chase the ball and to serve
the goal.
Language used- The students were
interacting with each other in a friendly way. As all the players were familiar
of each other because they were friends. They were calling each other with
different teasing names. In response the other person also said him some
annoying words.
Any favour done to friends-Both
the teams tried to take the side of their friends.
Objectivity during the game (biasness)-
All were playing with great spirit
Gender
behaviour how male and female
interact with each other-
-Only
8 boys were playing the game no girl was playing in the group. Boys were very
friendly with each other.
In my fourth observation I observed
students playing basketball of same class in their games period. Size of the group was large; as
there were 8 members in a team .Duration of the game was 35 min /one period.
Toss was done in between two team’s .Teacher instructed all rules as following
explained by instructors: and regulation of volley ball. It
took some time to As some rules are understand by the students.
In VOLLEY Ball, players wait
together to return the ball over the net and then they hits the ball, without
letting the ball touch the ground.
Players follow the proper rational
order through each set.
Each time a team gains the right to
serve; its players must rotate one position clockwise.
Players in a back row portion must
not attack the ball above the net.
If the server hits the net or land out
of bounds, the server’s team loses the point.
Students were busy in discussion on
rules, explained by the teacher. All players were discussing that they will
play a fair game. If one player hits the ball twice then he will give the
chance to other player. Toss was done by the team captain to determine which
team will serve first .All were so excited, some were challenging each others,
boosting each other. Students took short break for water drinking after their
turn sot over. In between leaders or captain was continuously guiding them to
play as per the rules; stopping them if they are going out of the rules. Trying
their best to maintain harmony in team’s .One Student who was playing very well
among other was awarded by the title of winner. Students use their gross and
fine motor skills , they used their
hands while picking ,hitting and catching the ball and also in running and jumping to catch the
ball in the playground. All were interacting each other in a very friendly
manner and very maturely. Some who were creating disturbance was recalled by
the teacher. No discrimination among any students was observed .All students
were getting similar opportunity to perform. No favor was done by the teacher.
All were playing with great team spirit.
DAY- 5
Name of the game
observed- Football
On
16th January, 2017, a large group of 16 students of 9th
standard were observed in the playground at Citizen Model School. The group
that was observed consisted of boys only. The students decided to play
football.
First, they divided the team by tossing the
coin. Then, they decided the rules of the game among themselves and according
to it one student was made the goal keeper in each team who was the only person
who can touch the ball and defend the other team from doing a goal by catching
the ball. Rest of the students had to chase the ball by their feet and do the
goal. The team which will do maximum number of goals would be the winner.
After
that they all began playing football very calmly and also followed the rules of
game but gradually they started shouting
and using slang language at the time of taking the ball from their opponents.
The team which was loosing had a boy who was very dominating while playing. He
kept on shouting on the members of his team to cover the area and not let the
other team to take away the ball. He was so influencing that his team mates
followed his instructions.
After
20 minutes they took a break for drinking water and again continued playing.
The duration of the game was of 45 minutes. All the students actively
participated and enjoyed playing.\
DAY – 6
Name
of the game observed – Human-knot
On 18th January, 2017, a group of
boys and girls of 7th standard were observed playing the game ‘human
knot’. In this game first a denner was selected randomly whom they called
Doctor. The rules of the game were made by the students by using their own
imagination in which the Doctor was sent away while the others entangled
themselves into a bunch of indistinguishable limbs.
In
this game both boys and girls played together. A girl was selected as the
Doctor who was sent away and in the mean time all the other students entangled
themselves. After that they called the girl by saying, ‘Doctor- Doctor please
help us’. Then the girl’s job was to untangle them without letting anyone
escape.
But
once she untangled them, they all ran away and then she had to catch them and
the one whom she caught became the Doctor. So, in this way the students used
their gross motors at the time of running as well as fine motor skills at the
time of entangling themselves. Also, they used their cognitive skills by
entangling themselves in the best way they can. Both, boys’ and girls’ problem
solving and creative skills were seen through this game and they all actively
played their game throughout their P.T period which was of 45 minutes duration.
DAY – 7
Name of the game – Chain- Chain
On
20th January, 2017, a group of boys of 6th class was
observed who played the game ‘chain- chain’. In this game first they decided
who will be the ‘denner’ of the game by tossing.
The
rules of the game were made by themselves in which the denner had to out others
one by one by running after them. Once the denner caught a person then that
person would hold the hand of the denner and will run to catch others. So, in
this way chain will be formed by them and the one who will be caught in the end
will be the winner of the game.
Then
the boys started playing. In the beginning of the game all played actively but
later on a conflict arised and they all started screaming on one another. The
conflict was that the boy who was denner complained that he was not able to run
by holding the hands of 4 boys together whom he had caught. So, the game was
modified and they started making a chain of only 2 person.
It
showed that boys were cooperative during play and understood the problems faced
by the denner and manipulated the rules of the game accordingly. Also, it was
observed that the denner avoided catching his best friend and caught him at
last to make him the winner of the game. After every 15 minutes that group of
boys used to take rest for 5 minutes. They continued that game till their
playing period got over.
DAY-8
Name of the game – London-Bridge (posham-pa)
On
23rd January, 2017, a small group of girls was observed who decided
to play a game ‘London-Bridge’ which they also called as ‘Posham Pa Bhai Posham
Pa’. In this game two leaders were selected by tossing a coin.
The
game began by singing a song in Hindi. The lines of the song were ‘ posham pa bhai posham pa, laal quile ma kya
hua, so rupay ki ghadi churai ab toh jail ma jaana padega, jail ki roti khani
padegi, ab toh jail ma jaana padega’. The two leaders sang this song and as
soon as the song ended, the person who got trapped out of all the other members
of the group who were taking a round, around the two leaders was asked to join
the leaders one by one.
At
last, when there was no player left, they drew a line and both the leaders
stood opposite to that line and the tug of the war was played in which both the
teams A and team B pulled one another towards them by holding hands and by
using all their energy.
So,
at the time of tug of the war, the girls shouted to encourage their team
members to pull the other team towards them with their full strength to make
their team win. At last, Team A won and they all jumped and hugged each other
after winning the game.
DAY – 9
Name of the game – Cricket
On
24th January, 2017, a group of boys was observed who decided to play
cricket. First, they divided their team by tossing a coin and at the time of
selecting the members of their team, the two leaders started arguing for a boy
whose name was Karan to be in their team as Karan was good at batting. Finally,
the decision was taken by Karan that he wants to be in the team of his best
friend.
After
that, they started playing. Some of the boys used very abusive language while
communicating during the play. Everybody was active throughout the play except
one boy whose name was Sumit. He was given the task of doing fielding i.e.
catching the ball whenever it came in his area but the problem with him was
that he was a slow runner. So, everytime when Sumit was unable to catch the
ball, his friends started shouting at him but he silently listened them without
shouting back.
In
this game, there was use of gross and fine motors at the time of running and at
the time of catching the ball respectively. It was found that there was lack of
coordination among the team members and some of the students were very
dominating.
After
playing continuously for 30 minutes they took a break and after that continued
playing till the end of their P.T period.
DAY – 10
Name of the game – Throw ball
On
25th January, 2017, same group of boys was observed who played
cricket last time but this time they decided to play ‘Throw Ball’. They simply
divided themselves into two teams by making a toss.
The
rules were discussed among themselves; according to them the ball should not be
thrown outside the court and also should not be smashed below the waist of the
player.
After
discussing the rules they started playing. During the game, students made the
use of gross motor skills as well as fine motor skills by running and catching
the ball. The leaders kept on motivating their team members. The boy named
Rahul was the star of the game. He didn’t missed even a single ball. Everytime
he was able to catch the ball which was thrown towards him no matter how
forcefully it was thrown. After playing continuously for 20 minutes they took a
break for drinking water and the leaders discussed the strategies of how to win
the game with their team members.
Again
the students came back to court to continue the game but this time the position
of the players was changed. After that some improvement was seen in the team
which was loosing earlier.
In
the last round of the game, both the teams used their whole concentration and
energy to win the game. The team which lost was sad but they challenged the
winner team that next time they will be the winner. This showed that they didn’t
loose the hope so easily
CONCLUSION
Play
is an important part of childhood development. It is an activity which is done
for self amusement and sometimes it also works as a relief from stress in the student’s
life. Through play, one can communicate the joy, anxiety, creativity and
sorrow. It leads to cognitive, physical, social development and emotional well
being of youth.
After
observing the students of 6th to 8th standard in play
ground it was found how much they enjoy playing. Many varieties of games were
observed such as kho-kho, volleyball, cricket, badminton, throw ball and
football in which the students followed the rules of the game.
Whereas,
the games like lock and, human-knot, London-bridge (posham-pa), hopscotch (stapu)
and chain-chain were played by the students without following any particular
rules. They made their own rules which they even manipulated and modified
according to their wish during the play.
The
language used by the students varied throughout the game. Most of the time when
any game was played by the students, at that time in the beginning of the game
everybody played nicely and calmly but gradually they started shouting, made
the use of slang language and gave explaination to each other whenever they
wanted to prove that they were not out.
The
games played by the students involved the use of both gross and fine motor
skills during running, jumping. Catching and hitting the ball.
At
last, it can be concluded that through play the leadership qualities and
cooperative learning gets enhanced. It helps the students to understand how to
play in a team. It helps in building coordination among them at the time of
playing a game as a team. Not only this, it helps in increasing the efficiency
of immune and cardiovascular system and decreases the stress among students.
Also, the relationships of students with one another gets built through the
play. Therefore, play is an activity which helps in personality development of
students.
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