User:Lihfrancisco/sandbox

The act of play time is a cross-cultural phenomenon that is universally accepted and encouraged by most communities however it can differ in the ways that is performed.

https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1054&context=orpc

Some cultures, such as Euro-American cultural heritages, encourage play time in order to stress cognitive benefits and the importance of learning how to care for one’s self. Other cultures, such as people of African American or Asian American heritages, stress more group oriented learning and play where kids can learn what they can do with and for others. http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/ehyun/10041/culture_and_development_in.htm

Parent interactions when it comes to playtime also differs drastically within communities. Parents in the Mayan culture do interact with their children in a playful mindset while parents in the United States tend to set aside time to play and teach their children through games and activities. In the Mayan community, children are supported in their playing but also encouraged to play while watching their parents do household work in order to become familiar with how to follow in their footsteps. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1054&context=orpc

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All around the world, children use different natural materials like stones, water, sand, leaves, fruits, sticks and a variety of resources to play. In addition, there are groups that have access to crafts, industrialized toys, electronics and video-games. https://www.academia.edu/5180690/Toys_Play_Culture_and_Society._An_anthropological_approach_with_reference_to_North_Africa_and_the_Sahara

For example:

In Australia, games and sports are part of play. There, play can be considered as preparation for life and self- expression, like in many other countries. https://eprints.usq.edu.au/24916/12/Edwards_typology_PV.pdf

Groups of children in Efe of the Democratic Republic of Congo can be seen making ‘food’ from dirt or pretending to shoot bows and arrows much like their elders. These activities are similar to other forms of play worldwide. For instance, children can be seen comforting their toy dolls or animals, anything that they have modeled from adults in their communities. https://people.ucsc.edu/~brogoff/Psych247articles/Morelli%20et%20al%20Cultural%20Var%20in%20Young%20Children's%20Access.pdf

In Brazil, we can find children playing with balls, kites, marbles, pretend houses or mud kitchens, like in many other countries. In smaller communities they use mud balls, little stones or cashews to replace marbles. http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/play/according-experts/play-and-cultural-context

At an indigenous community of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia, children’s play is highly valued and encouraged by leaders and parents. They interact with the children of different ages and explore together different environments to let the children express themselves as part of the group. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/17/08/diversity-play

Some children in the Sahara use clay figures as their forms of playful toys. Toys in general are a representation of cultural practices. They usually illustrate characters and objects of a community. https://www.academia.edu/5180690/Toys_Play_Culture_and_Society._An_anthropological_approach_with_reference_to_North_Africa_and_the_Sahara

In sum, play time can be used as a way for children to learn the different ways of their culture. Many communities use play to can emulate work. The way in which children imitate work through their play can differ according to the opportunities they have access to, but it is something that tends to be promoted by adults. https://people.ucsc.edu/~brogoff/Psych247articles/Morelli%20et%20al%20Cultural%20Var%20in%20Young%20Children's%20Access.pdf