By Drew Markiewicz

For our next safari, we will look at how girls and boys play differently at a crucial stage of development. When children are around the age of 3, they begin to play in an open ended way that depends on how they see themselves. Boys and girls identify as male or female and their play style often reflects their new found sense of identity. This behavior is called gender socialization, a useful term to understand on our safari because it determines the way a child plays even into adolescence to some degree.

   Our next term on this safari is gender segregation, “the physical separation or drawing apart of females and males for social interaction, or play. This is commonly seen in middle childhood play groups” (Edwards). This term describes how around the age of 3 and 4, boys and girls start to prefer the company of other boys and girls respectively. This well documented phenomenon suggests that when boys and girls reach the age of middle childhood, they play differently and prefer the company of boys and girls who play the same way as they do. Boys and girls do not necessarily dislike each other, they are just more comfortable playing with companions who have the same play style as they do. They also have peers who encourage them (especially boys) to avoid the methods of each others play in order to fit in. As we can see, gender segregation is the next step in a child’s life after gender socialization and is an essential milestone in child’s life and how they grow.

We will now explore the vast differences in play styles of boys and girls along with classic examples of how they differ in middle childhood. In addition to play groups, the toys, games and adventures a child comes up with depends on their gender. Many girls, for instance, are largely interested in playing games that associate with “domestic or family life”(Edwards). This includes playing house, using dolls and playing dress up to express themselves. Many girls often invent scripts to play with these things which are followed meticulously and girls may find themselves upset when someone doesn’t follow the script.

 Many boys on the other hand, prefer playing with a “transportation vehicles, weapons and building blocks” (Edwards). They are often noisy and like to imitate the sounds of cars, guns and machinery when they play. Many boys are more interested in picking out toys based on their gender and not appearing “girly” to themselves and their male peers. This interest reinforces their gender segregation. Something important to keep in mind is that while these observations are based on actual studies, there are both boys and girls who play differently outside of these roles. It’s important to treat each child separately.

An important idea to close this safari is a parent and a teacher do not necessarily have to keep boys and girls separate and enforce their gender segregation. There are not only activities both boys and girls enjoy but by doing these activities, children come to understand each others differences when they play. A child who learns about differences at an early age is more likely to demonstrate empathy and understanding for those who are different from them. Gender socialization and segregation are the first time a child understands this and as fellow adventurers in this safari, understanding is key to becoming a good explorer of life.

Tips From Tiger:

-Active play on play sets and play places are something both boys and girls enjoy. An easy way to get children to play together is taking them to one of those.

-It’s important for adults to encourage friendship between same sex children which helps them make friends later on in life. These can often be organized with play dates.

-What children watch on television often aids or subverts their thoughts on gender roles. Make sure to monitor what they watch on TV because it’s highly influential.

Useful References

Edwards, Carolyn. “Play Pattern and Gender.” Digital Commons University of Nebraska. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu. 2020, https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1610&context=psychfacpub

For our first expedition in this safari log, we will explore the importance of children’s play. Children’s play, is something that is often taken for granted. With all kinds of electronics to captivate a child’s attention, children often don’t get the essential fun that comes from running around and playing with other children and adult caregivers. For busy parents, electronics fill the void of play and are often used in the downtime between learning, eating and sleeping.

But when electronics are combined with a very “hurried and pressured state of development,” children miss out on essential things that allow them to develop mentally through a more natural form of play (Ginsberg). Play that utilizes movement and imagination is not only super fun and educational, it helps children learn and grow as toddlers and is essential to their development.

When a child uses their imagination and their body rather than sitting down and using electronics, they develop many important social skills, physical dexterity and learn the rules of the physical world. When children play with other children, they learn how to play fair and interact with their friends in ways that are socially acceptable. These are great ways on how to shape a toddler into an empathetic and responsible person. A child and their friends are in the process of developing skills with role-playing too. This prepares them for roles that they will have to perform later on in life.

When a child performs physical activities versus sitting down, they are building a strong body as well as a strong mind. A child who is active at a young age will be encouraged to be active later on in life and build “active healthy bodies” (Ginsberg). Childhood obesity is an active epidemic for young children and can be prevented by encouraging children to play in addition to eating healthy.

In addition, when a child plays on a playground or a play-place their body coordination improves as well. As they move along the equipment, they perfect their movements in order to successfully play. Not only are they having fun, they’re growing in physically healthy ways.

One of the most important and often overlooked parts of play is the healthy caregiver-child relationship that develops when a child plays with a trusted adult. A child is often granted the ability to take control of the game they play with an adult, allowing the adult to follow the leadership of the child instead. For a “small person” taking control of the games played with a “big person,” not only builds trust but gives the child a new leadership role. A child who plays with a caregiver and is allowed to take on the leadership role often gives them confidence and a new-found understanding of how the rules of play work.

In this safari, we’ve learned that growing and playing go hand in hand. It’s not only a way for children to let out all the energy they’ve built up, they’re becoming little scholars of play and the world around them. As toddlers, children are in a crucial stage of development and every hands on experience they get, will allow them to prosper and grow more. Let them have fun safaris on playgrounds and play-places and you will be amazed at how much your young explorers discover!

Tips from Tiger:

-Often trade roles between a parent and a child when you’re playing, let the child see from your perspective and try to understand theirs.

-Forty five minutes to an hour is the ideal amount of free play a young child should have a day. One hour of active play a day is known to reduce childhood obseity by 42%

-In addition, one hour of active play also reduces the symptoms of ADHD in a child.

-Children who perform active play and engage with others on playgrounds and playplaces have been shown to develop empathy for others and understand fair play better