A definition of play
Play may be defined as an active process by which an individual is intrinsically motivated to explore the self, the environment, and/or interactions with another person. It is enjoyable with a natural flow individually or between participants. Play is valued for its own sake; the means are more valuable than the ends.
This definition was developed during a 3-day consensus conference, organized and hosted by the Motor Development Lab at the University of Southern California.
Fiss, A. L. et al (2023). Embedding Play to Enrich Physical Therapy. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 13(6), 440.
Games in physiotherapy
As physiotherapists we also need to have tools to engage young children in training activities designed to increase their ability to perform age appropriate tasks. One way to do this is to create games. Games are activities that are structured by the therapist to achieve a goal and are used to motivate a child to repeat an activity and explore different ways to achieve success.
At a behavioural level children will engage in games when they incorporate choice, rewards, and are enjoyable. In any physiotherapist structured activity there will often be a mixture of play and game elements.
A ball game with a play element
I have chosen this video of Roanly and Pam playing a ball game because it includes a play and a game element and demonstrates a rich array of social and communication interactions.
I have created a structure for this ball game. Roan and I sit on the floor facing each other at a distance to allow me to role the ball to Roan.
My actions with the ball invite Roan to copy them. However Roan has ideas of her own
The social interaction between Lily and me is rich and varied and includes sharing of enjoyment.
Communication is also rich with Lily using non-verbal communication and I verbally commenting on what is happening.