Play, attention, and learning: How do play and timing shape the development of attention and influence classroom learning?. (13th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hedges, James H.; Adolph, Karen E.; Amso, Dima; Bavelier, Daphne; Fiez, Julie A.; Krubitzer, Leah; McAuley, J. Devin; Newcombe, Nora S.; Fitzpatrick, Susan M.; Ghajar, Jamshid
• Is Part Of: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Volume 1292(2013)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2013-06-13
• Subjects: play -- attention -- learning -- education -- anticipatory timing -- synchronization -- infant development -- locomotion -- perceptual–motor coordination -- action video games -- architecture -- isotropic fractionator -- head‐mounted eye‐tracking -- cortex -- evolution -- spatial skill -- puzzles -- child ANT -- transfer -- STEM; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12154
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0077-8923

Abstract

Abstract : The behavioral and neurobiological connections between play and the development of critical cognitive functions, such as attention, remain largely unknown. We do not yet know how these connections relate to the formation of specific abilities, such as spatial ability, and to learning in formal environments, such as in the classroom. Insights into these issues would be beneficial not only for understanding play, attention, and learning individually, but also for the development of more efficacious systems for learning and for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Different operational definitions of play can incorporate or exclude varying types of behavior, emphasize varying developmental time points, and motivate different research questions. Relevant questions to be explored in this area include, How do particular kinds of play relate to the development of particular kinds of abilities later in life? How does play vary across societies and species in the context of evolution? Does play facilitate a shift from reactive to predictive timing, and is its connection to timing unique or particularly significant? This report will outline important research steps that need to be taken in order to address these and other questions about play, human activity, and cognitive functions.