Anton Semonowich Makarno...

Anton Semonowich Makarno, a famous Russian expert on the subject of child-upbringing, says: [1] Ruwanshinashi Kudak, Page 331. If a person is smart in games and play in his childhood, he will reflect the same quality in his life as he grows up. Good play is like doing good work. Every game requires the use of mental and physical capabilities. Observe a child at play and find how he has formulated his strategy to succeed in that event.

At play the feelings and sentiments of the child will be authentic. The elders should. Be observant of these. [1] William McDougal writes: Before nature manifests in the field of activity, play reflects the bent of the persons mind. [2] Although, at play, the child is not performing any specific work, it is not less than performing a physical and mental work. During play the inclinations of the natural and personal capabilities will manifest themselves.

While playing the character of the child takes shape for the bright future. The guardians of children can be categorized in several ways: There are those who consider playing with toys and games an unnecessary pastime and try their best to dissuade their children from taking part in any such activity. There are others who are not against the children playing games and give them total freedom to select the toys and games of their choice to play. [1] Ruwanshinashi Tajrubi Kudak, Page 130.

[2] Ibid., Page 332. The third category of guardians is those who dont attach any importance to game other than keeping the children occupied. They purchase toys and games without any other objective in view than providing some tools to the child to be fully occupied. The child plays with the toys, breaks them and throws them away when it is tired of them. The child also shows off his pretty toys and games to other children.

The fourth type of guardians are those who not only provide the means of play to the children but they keep a watch on the use of the material given to them. If the children come across any difficulty in using the newly acquired toys, they volunteer their assistance to solve the problem. Such guardians curb the problem solving instinct of the children and they get used to depending on the assistance of the elders in all matters.

Of the four categories of guardians, none completely measures up to the requirement of providing good learning experience to the child through play.