Major Paper 3 Summary: Most Of Us Use Critical Response Purp

Major Paper 3 Summaryresponsepurposemost Of Us Use Critical Readin

Major Paper #3--Summary/Response Purpose: Most of us use critical reading strategies everyday to effectively process all of the information we are consistently bombarded with. This assignment allows you continue to explore ideas of reading and writing rhetorically, as you will use different strategies to write your summary and your strong response. The Assignment: This assignment will have two parts: 1.) Summary Summarize in words the article your instructor has chosen from the assignment: "Children Need to Play, Not Compete," on pages of your 9th edition textbook (or on pages of your 8th edition textbook or pages in your 7th edition textbook). In this summary, you should relay the article’s main points, completely and accurately, in your own words. If you find yourself in a situation in which the author’s words needed to be quoted directly (perhaps for emphasis), you must make it clear that these words are the author’s by using quotation marks appropriately. You will not want to quote anything over one sentence in length, and you will want to limit yourself to no more than 2-3 direct quotes, if you use any at all. Remember that the whole point of this portion of the assignment is for you to restate the author’s points objectively in your own words. In general, I recommend you structure your first sentence something like this: In "Children Need to Play, Not Compete, Jessica Statsky… This will function as the thesis statement of your summary, so this first sentence will need to convey the main point(s) of the article to give your reader an overall view.

2.) Response Write a 1 ½ to 2 page response to "Children Need to Play, Not Compete." Before you even begin drafting, you will want to decide on the terms of your response. Once you decide on the terms (or grounds) of your response, you’ll want to figure out how you can support your points—using logic, outside evidence, examples from your personal life—whatever is appropriate. (We will discuss how to determine the terms of your response in Unit 9.) Please Note: The sample summary for this unit is included on the "Lecture Notes" page.

Paper For Above instruction

The article "Children Need to Play, Not Compete" by Jessica Statsky emphasizes the importance of play in childhood development over competitive sports and structured activities that prioritize winning. Statsky argues that unstructured play allows children to develop essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills that are often overshadowed by the emphasis on competition. She highlights how competitive environments can create stress, diminish creativity, and hinder cooperation among children, thereby impeding healthy development.

In her article, Statsky asserts that play is a natural and vital component of childhood, fostering imagination, problem-solving, and resilience. She points out that children engaged in free, spontaneous play are more likely to develop empathy and teamwork, unlike competitive sports which tend to promote individual achievement at the expense of social cooperation. Furthermore, Statsky discusses how emphasizing winning can lead to negative experiences such as disappointment, anxiety, and low self-esteem, especially when children are pushed to meet adult expectations.

The author also raises concerns about the current educational and societal emphasis on structured activities designed to enhance academic performance or develop specific skills, often at the expense of play. She advocates for a balanced approach, where play remains an integral part of childhood, allowing children to learn through exploration and peer interaction. According to Statsky, such an approach not only supports healthy psychological development but also prepares children better for future challenges.

Personally, I agree with Statsky's perspective that play is crucial for healthy childhood development. From my observation, children who engage in creative play tend to demonstrate better problem-solving skills and emotional regulation than those who are overly involved in competitive activities. I believe that incorporating more free play in school curriculums could benefit children's social skills and overall well-being. For example, in my own childhood, spontaneous games and imaginative activities were instrumental in building my confidence and ability to cooperate with others.

Supporting this view, research by Pellegrini and Smith (1998) indicates that unstructured play contributes significantly to social competence and learning. Additionally, developmental psychologists, such as Jean Piaget, emphasized the importance of play in cognitive development, highlighting its role in helping children assimilate new information and develop problem-solving abilities.

Despite the benefits, some critics argue that organized competitive sports teach children discipline and resilience. While these are valid skills, I believe that a balanced approach is essential — where play is prioritized as a foundation for all types of development, including understanding competition healthily. Schools should focus on fostering cooperative play, ensuring children experience the joys and learning opportunities of unstructured play alongside structured activities.

In conclusion, Statsky’s article underscores the necessity of preserving childhood play as a key element of development. Emphasizing play over competition nurtures creativity, emotional health, and social skills, which are vital in the complex world children are growing into. As society continues to prioritize achievement and competition, it is crucial to remember the fundamental value of play in fostering well-rounded, resilient, and happy individuals.

References

• Piaget, J. (1951). Play, dreams and imitation in childhood. Routledge.
• Pellegrini, A. D., & Smith, P. K. (1998). The development of play during childhood: Forms and functions. Child Psychology & Psychiatry Review, 3(2), 51-61.
• Statsky, J. (Year). Children Need to Play, Not Compete. [Source details].
• Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
• Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191.
• Berk, L. E. (2013). Child Development (9th ed.). Pearson.
• Frost, J. L., Wortham, S., & Reifel, S. (2012). Play and Child Development. Pearson.
• Lepper, M. R., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and the self-determination of behavior. In Deci & Ryan (Eds.), Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior (pp. 57-70). Springer.
• Brown, S., & Vaughan, C. (2010). Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invites Learning. NEA Today.
• Hoffman, M. L. (2000). Empathy and moral development: Implications for caring and justice. Cambridge University Press.