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Valentina Huerta
EDU230
Instructor Emily Gerken
The Power of Play Critique
July 11, 2016

Elkind, David. The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo
Lifelong, 2007. Print.

Playing with a purpose, leaning to creativity, accepting curiosity, and yielding to

imagination are all components illustrated in the book The Power of Play Learning What Comes
Naturally. The author establishes, play to be a critical element to provide balance, health, and
experiences to childrens growth. David Elkind believes that, Play is our need to adapt the
world to ourselves and create new learning experiences (Elkind3). Play is part of a trio that
influences plan and action throughout life. The book illustrates, play, love and work operate
effectively through life when combined together.
The role of play is vital from the infant through adulthood stages. Forms of play consist
of creativity, curiosity, and imagination. Learning experiences, intellectual, social and emotional
skills can only be facilitated through play (Elkind4). Infancy and early childhood, elementary
school years, adolescence, and adulthood are the four major periods the author explores the
natures of play, love and work. There are play cycles from necessity to leisure during the stages
of life.
During infancy and early childhood play is dominant over love and work. For example,
Infants familiarize play to their personal needs through objects and early childhood connects play

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between objects and creativity. In the elementary school years childrens play becomes a
supporting element to work and love. According to the author, Games and rules are the major
form of play, during the late elementary years (Elkind10). The adolescence years, love is
primary, play and work are overlooked. There is a decline of interest in academic work and play
at this stage. Play, love and work are all separate in adulthood. Play in adult hood is either a
recreational or pleasurable event.
Play is more than consuming all sorts of toys such as sensational, micro, character, skill,
educational, electronic, and media. Play has changed from free play to an indulgence of material
to manipulate for the moment. The author explains children are not expressing creativity due to
the large quantity of electronic toys at their reach. Toys Arent Us, the author illuminates parents
to test the games for quality and appropriate material. Imagination and creativity is developed
through unstructured play.
Parenting and schooling approaches misread about how children learn are evaluated in
chapter five by developing three theories of learning. The three theories exposed include watch
me, little sponge and look harder. First, in the watch me theory, the child will figure out how to
do the skill by watching what the parent or teacher model. Second, the little sponge theory,
children are like sponges and absorb any lesson or experience send their direction. Third, the
look harder theory, implements the theory to encourage children to just keep looking they will
get it. Children mature quickly, differently and require intensive attention from parents and
teachers who will listen and guide according to their individual needs
Elkind suggests in his final chapters to encourage more play. In the chapter titled
Lighthearted Parenting, He, encourages parents to share gifts, talents and passions with their

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children. By sharing abilities, talents, passions to the children it demonstrates the love and
engagement in something their parents enjoy doing for mere pleasure. Adult pleasures are
examples of play (Elkind182). The following chapter, Schooling with the Heart, Mind and Body
the author argues the point of educating the whole child rather than teaching to the test
(Elkind199). Teachers and parents together can implement achievement, learning, and emotional
development by following the advice offered in this book.
In conclusion, the writers views are key values, Elkind shares child-rearing information
and standards held in todays society. He illustrated plenty of information to support his concept.
The core concept of play, love and work was repeated throughout the text abundantly. The
author was consistent with connecting the three to help children develop healthy and completely.
I understood all the concepts and information expressed to be constructive and applicable.
Elkind made his material clear by repeating the importance of combining all three elements. The
author effectively placed the responsibility on the parents. Play has changed from running
outside after lighting bugs to finding or building items on programed electronics. Creativity is
put into a standstill when children are given too many toys to manipulate. I agree with the author
and take the responsibility as a parent, future grandparent and teacher to examine my
responsibility to listen and lean children towards learning through the power of play. In the
beginning of the book Elkind quoted Jean Piaget, Play is the answer to the question: how does
anything new come about?(Elkind3). My reaction and agreement to the material I read is that
providing children with learning experiences and opportunities we allow them the freedom to
play and develop their curiosity, imagination and creativity. The book illustrates, play, love and
work operate effectively through life when combined together.