Children's Play (Reading)
Read the following text about children’s play and answer the questions.
Paragraph 1
Play makes children very happy. When asked, they say they are happier when playing with friends than in any other situation. Yet the amount of time children play together without parents or teachers watching them or telling them what to do (what the experts call ‘free play’) is getting less and less. This trend has started to worry a number of senior psychologists and child experts. They argue that without adequate time for free play children cannot develop into confident and fully mature adults, which will eventually have a negative effect on society as a whole.
Paragraph 2
Part of the problem lies with parents. They recognise that their children play by themselves less frequently than they did, but admit that they restrict the amount of outdoor play because they worry about their safety. But another part of the problem is that we now want school to start at a very early age. Preschools and nursery schools have introduced more academic activities and many schools have even reduced break times. This doesn’t mean we are against the idea of play, but it does show that we don’t value play enough as part of a child’s development.
Paragraph 3
Play is important because it gives children a chance to find and develop their own interests without being instructed by adults. It is here that children first learn how to make decisions, solve problems, use self-control, and follow rules. Children who don’t go through this stage are likely to grow up feeling that they are not in control of their own lives and are much more likely to feel anxious as a result.
Paragraph 4
As well as making decisions, children also learn how to deal with emotions such as anger or fear when they are playing. Things like role playing and climbing trees can be a little frightening but it is the children themselves who decide how far they want to go with each activity. People who do not have the opportunity to experience and cope with such feelings will be less able to manage when they are faced with emotionally challenging situations in adult life.
Paragraph 5
Finally, play is a natural means of making friends through learning to cooperate with other children and treating them fairly. Children must think about the needs and wishes of those they play with as well as their own. If they don’t, they will not be allowed to stay in the group (largely because their behaviour will cause the game to fail). Those who miss this early form of social interaction are more likely to feel socially isolated in later life.
1. Choose the best title for each paragraph from A–F below. There is one title you don't need.
A. Discovering yourself early in life
B. Thinking about others
C. What this means for all of us
D. Play leads to improved academic results
E. Being limited from two sides
F. Knowing when to stop
2. Choose the five statements from A–H below that are TRUE according to the information given in the text.
A. Free play requires no adult to supervise.
B. Adults feel they should supervise some play activities.
C. Parents base attitudes to play on their own childhood experience.
D. Opportunities for play in schools have become fewer.
E. Free play will help children to become more obedient.
F. Play should never be frightening.
G. Play makes children less selfish.
H. Children should not forget their own needs when playing
3. Complete the sentences with an exact number, word or phrase (maximum three words) from the text.
Paragraph 1
Play makes children very happy. When asked, they say they are happier when playing with friends than in any other situation. Yet the amount of time children play together without parents or teachers watching them or telling them what to do (what the experts call ‘free play’) is getting less and less. This trend has started to worry a number of senior psychologists and child experts. They argue that without adequate time for free play children cannot develop into confident and fully mature adults, which will eventually have a negative effect on society as a whole.
Paragraph 2
Part of the problem lies with parents. They recognise that their children play by themselves less frequently than they did, but admit that they restrict the amount of outdoor play because they worry about their safety. But another part of the problem is that we now want school to start at a very early age. Preschools and nursery schools have introduced more academic activities and many schools have even reduced break times. This doesn’t mean we are against the idea of play, but it does show that we don’t value play enough as part of a child’s development.
Paragraph 3
Play is important because it gives children a chance to find and develop their own interests without being instructed by adults. It is here that children first learn how to make decisions, solve problems, use self-control, and follow rules. Children who don’t go through this stage are likely to grow up feeling that they are not in control of their own lives and are much more likely to feel anxious as a result.
Paragraph 4
As well as making decisions, children also learn how to deal with emotions such as anger or fear when they are playing. Things like role playing and climbing trees can be a little frightening but it is the children themselves who decide how far they want to go with each activity. People who do not have the opportunity to experience and cope with such feelings will be less able to manage when they are faced with emotionally challenging situations in adult life.
Paragraph 5
Finally, play is a natural means of making friends through learning to cooperate with other children and treating them fairly. Children must think about the needs and wishes of those they play with as well as their own. If they don’t, they will not be allowed to stay in the group (largely because their behaviour will cause the game to fail). Those who miss this early form of social interaction are more likely to feel socially isolated in later life.
1. Choose the best title for each paragraph from A–F below. There is one title you don't need.
A. Discovering yourself early in life
B. Thinking about others
C. What this means for all of us
D. Play leads to improved academic results
E. Being limited from two sides
F. Knowing when to stop
2. Choose the five statements from A–H below that are TRUE according to the information given in the text.
A. Free play requires no adult to supervise.
B. Adults feel they should supervise some play activities.
C. Parents base attitudes to play on their own childhood experience.
D. Opportunities for play in schools have become fewer.
E. Free play will help children to become more obedient.
F. Play should never be frightening.
G. Play makes children less selfish.
H. Children should not forget their own needs when playing
3. Complete the sentences with an exact number, word or phrase (maximum three words) from the text.
- Today, children’s play is more likely to be watched by either .
- Parents allow children less free play because of concerns.
- There is less time for play because early schooling has become more .
- Children who don’t play are less able to cope later with situations which are .
- Early social interaction will prevent people becoming
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