The value of playing by rules
In summary
“A game is any learning or educational context that includes the element of competition and is defined by rules”
(Dempsey et al., 1996).
They rally around you every time. They usually ask you to play. They are not wrong. Especially in big cities, their opportunities are few. Incredibly pressed by the multitude of activities, they don’t have the time. And like they have him, their parents don’t have him, to take them to a square or a park, to play. For some, it is the only time to release their energy. Reading recently for my Proficiency exams, as soon as I had to mention the word creativity, I immediately wrote, from the heart, how much my students amaze me with their imagination and creativity, every time they need to find ways to achieve their goals during a game.
We are therefore given the opportunity to integrate the game with rules into the educational process and also into each training unit, having as our guiding principle the global and all-round activity of our students or athletes. Critically important is our ability to combine the freedom of the child’s psyche and the commitment of pre-agreed rules, in order for play to lead children through the above specific framework, to the filling of their inner world.
Playing with rules
Playing with rules is a key component of the educational process, as through it, the child realizes his strengths, develops his abilities and improves his skills. Games with rules essentially allow the child to pass from the context where self-centeredness dominates, to the stage of realizing social differentiation. A child who learns to follow the rules of a game, experiences the processes of his integration into the wider social becoming.
The game is a means, a method and also a model of teaching, as it can be integrated as a means of teaching, it can be both the content and the goal of the educational process and a lesson can be conducted according to the rules of a game. But also a training unit, where it has chosen a game that simulates the actual competitive situation, can lead to the achievement of the cognitive, emotional and social goals that the coach wants to achieve, as long as this game meets the interests of his athletes.
So it is enough to ensure, what the rules of the game are and how well they are known to the athletes, the avoidance of levels of difficulty, which will lead to the marginalization of some, as well as the adequacy of the supervisory means and materials
The percentage of time of a daily lesson or a training unit, which the PE teacher or coach will allocate for the children to play, is an important parameter. Play is a vital activity for children, as essential as nutrition and the right environment. Communication is achieved through play, and through it, the expression of the child’s inner world.
Through the game, the child will join the social group, develop cooperation, mutual respect, friendly relations and relations with the other members of the group.
Play is a natural human activity and a key component of children’s lives in all cultures, offering deep satisfaction and at the same time contributing to the child’s cognitive, emotional and psychomotor development. Through play, spatial-perceptual ability is developed, which is one of the most important skills that man has developed, in his effort to achieve the best adaptation to the environment in which he lives and develops.
It is a skill that is involved and related to a number of complex processes, such as learning, training, performing work and even playing. Playtime is, for most children, the best time of the day. Children can learn to control their behavior, increase their concentration, and remember better through play than in any other circumstances. At the same time, through the game, they practice a multitude of skills, which they will be able to apply in many different situations.
For every child, the game is a reflection of the phenomenon of life itself, with its own rules of conduct, with a spirit of cooperation and in general with all those elements, which are necessary for the person to join society later, such as the need for communication.
“Play is a vital activity for children, as essential as nutrition and the right environmen
“At the same time, through the game, they practice a multitude of skills, which they will be able to apply in many different situations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that the child is disciplined by the game with rules. When there are rules in the game, the child enters a process of self-restriction, setting frameworks in his inner world and regulating his mood. This process of taming the emotions and obeying the rules is not easy in all stages of human life, but in the game it can be accomplished. The game with rules is a pedagogical practice, which through the interaction with the teacher or the coach and the other children, will lead the child to a higher cognitive level than the one he possesses (Mantzouratos, 2021).
“Children need the time and freedom to play. Play is not a luxury. The game is a necessity.”
Kay Redfield Jamison
6. Bibliographic References
Dempsey, J.V., Lucassen, B., & Rasmussen, K. (1996). The instructional gaming literature: Implications and 99 sources. College of Education, University of South Alabama. Technical Report 96-1.
Mantzouratos, G. (2021). Practice: 10 practical tips for Physical Education Teachers teaching in Primary Education. Athens: Balta.
Giorgos Mantzouratos, Physical Education Elementary School Teacher – Author
Handball is one of the best sports, and it has a lot of benefits. Handball is all in one. With this sport, teens develop a lot of new physical and mental skills. People say that playing a sport is the best way to stay healthy and fit. Handball is a good sport for the physical integrity and well-being of a person. This is a fast sport in which people also need to be fast physically and mentally. Physically, because while playing a game, the player must run for an hour, which is the duration of a game. Also, they need good speed, good coordination, agility, and a fast reaction time. Participating in a sport like handball is good for the heart because it improves the heart´s ability and increases the oxygen level in the blood, which lowers your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, it improves bone and muscular strength, and improves general health. Mentally, because it is a sport that requires the player to think a lot and play with strategy to win. The sport of handball requires a great deal of mental focus, thought, and intelligence. People have to think each and every time. Therefore, it helps to improve cognitive skills. Also, practicing handball makes people happier, calms their minds, and helps them reduce and manage stress.
One of the best ways to manage stress, anxiety, depression, or any other emotion is to play a sport, because it allows the player to put their concerns or something that is bothering them aside in order to concentrate on their task, which will improve their quality of sleep.
Another good benefit of handball is that it promotes teamwork. It is a good way to have a social life. The player has to learn how to play in a team, so this sport will help her or him to lose the fear and become a part of the team. It is very helpful for people who do not have many friends or for whom it is hard to make friends. Since a player can play in different age categories on one or more teams, they are able to meet people from other places and of different ages, teams, and backgrounds, which gives them a range of opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. A saying goes that the best friends that you can have, you will meet in sports.
As you can see, handball is a fantastic form of exercise for staying healthy. Your physical and mental health will get better as a result of this exercise. In considering the fact that it is a sport that demands both physical and cerebral abilities. Additionally, engaging in this activity keeps you occupied, which is beneficial if you need to divert your focus briefly from issues. Furthermore, if you play and practice it, you’ll meet a lot of people and have a large circle of friends from various origins, ages, and teams. Everyone should give handball a try at least once so they may discover for themselves the advantages the sport has to offer.