Changes in the Education System The focus of the education system has changed dramatically over the last twenty-six years. Approximately forty percent of elementary schools have already eliminated or reduced recess, or are in the process of doing so, compared to ten percent reported in 1989 (“Recess and the Importance of Play,” n.d.). Not only is recess important, but all types of play have been shown to be beneficial for school-age children. Play is essential for healthy development that includes the mental, emotional and physical well-being of all children. The main components of the game The game is classified into four categories that often complement each other. They are divided into dramatic, manipulative, physical and creative games. Dramatic play involves dress-up, pretend, and role-play, while manipulative play is more like board games, building blocks, dolls, or action figures. When discussing the other aspects of the game, the physical activity is more similar to gym class activities such as hula hooping and jumping rope. Creative play is self-explanatory. It is a type of hands-on, arts and crafts play that involves paint, glitter, glue and play dough. The five phases of the game There are not only game categories, but there are also game phases. The five phases of the game involve spectator behavior, solitary play, parallel activity, associative play, and cooperative play. While stage names are self-defining, they fall within a broad spectrum of how the game is actually defined. The first stage, Bystander Behavior, involves a child who tends to study the situation rather than join in with it. Solitaire play tends to fall into the category of manipulative play. The child who falls into isolation usually chooses activities... center of the card... life skills, and allows them to grow and develop into healthy individuals. Works Cited Isenberg, J.P., & Jalongo, M.R. (2010, July 20). Why is play important? Social and emotional development, physical development, creative development. Education.com. Retrieved from http://www.education.comMiller, E., Almon, J. (2009). Kindergarten crisis: Why children need to play at school. Alliance for Children. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.comParker-Pope, T. (2009, February 24). The 3 Rs? A fourth is also crucial: recreation. The New York Times. Retrieved from nytimes.comRecess and the Importance of Play. (n.d.). National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education. Retrieved from peacfulplaygrounds.com The crucial role of recess at school. (2013, January). American Academy of Pediatrics. doi:101542/peds.2012-2993