Sara Smilansky was a Israeli educational psychologist who is well known for her work on the theory of play and its role in children's development.
According to Smilansky, play is a fundamental aspect of children's development and is essential for their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. She proposed that play serves a number of important functions for children, including providing opportunities for social interaction, problem solving, creativity, and self-expression.
One of the key elements of Smilansky's theory is the idea that play should be an enjoyable and voluntary activity for children. This means that children should be able to choose what they want to play and how they want to play it, rather than being forced to engage in certain activities or play in a particular way. This allows children to feel a sense of control and autonomy, which is important for their sense of self and for their overall well-being.
Smilansky also believed that play should be an active process, rather than a passive one. Children should be actively engaged in their play, rather than simply observing or being entertained by it. This allows them to fully participate in the activity and to learn and develop through their own actions and experiences.
Another important aspect of Smilansky's theory is the idea that play should be an open-ended activity. This means that there should not be a predetermined outcome or goal to the play, but rather that children should be free to explore and discover new things on their own. This encourages creativity and promotes problem-solving skills.
Overall, Smilansky's theory highlights the importance of play in children's development and the role that it plays in promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. It emphasizes the importance of giving children the freedom to choose and engage in their own play activities and the value of active, open-ended play in supporting their overall development.