ERIC Number: EJ1123860
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1938-0399
EISSN: N/A
Free Choice or Adaptable Choice: Self-Determination Theory and Play
King, Pete; Howard, Justine
American Journal of Play, v9 n1 p56-70 Fall 2016
The authors explore the use of three basic tenets from Self-Determination Theory--competence, relatedness, and autonomy--for a definition of play that resists the current popular call for play to be freely chosen. They explore whether free play truly exists and whether complete choice constitutes an absolute requirement for children to consider themselves at play. In the course of doing so, they consider two subtheories--Cognitive Evaluation Theory and Organismic Integration Theory. Ultimately they propose substituting adaptable choice for free choice as a defining characteristic of play because it makes for more ready support of children's play in various professional contexts.
Descriptors: Self Determination, Play, Student Motivation, Children, Definitions, Models, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Educational Policy, Educational Practices, Cognitive Processes, Behavior Theories, Personal Autonomy, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom; Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A