Youths debate on the importance of learning and playing for a child |16 February 2017

The two groups presenting their case

A debate which focused on the significance of learning or play in the early childhood stage of a child was held as part of the country’s first International Biennial Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education which officially opens this afternoon.

The non competitive debate organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) in partnership with the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) was held at the Seychelles Institute for Teacher Education (Site) yesterday in the presence of the chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence, his deputy Ghislaine Belmont, chief executive of the Citizens Engagement Platform (Ceps) Marcel Rosalie, the consultant of the ECCE programme Dr Andre Leste and the director general for primary schools Cyril Pillay.

Among the audience were also students from primary, secondary and post-secondary, child minders, teachers, parents and other representatives of IECD partners.

Is it better for a child between the age of 0 and 8 to play or learn? This is a very crucial stage of a child’s life and the two groups debating this pertinent question comprised Kelly Mathiot, Thahera Crea, Elma Albert, Zerane Ah-Kon and Rania Coushon (for playing) and ALvania Lawen, Joshua Sophola, Natalia Lawen and Stanio Sally (for learning).

The debate started by an introductory presentation of each individual of the groups followed by a presentation of their case which then gave the debaters an opportunity to argue on the opposing points made.

The group for playing argued that learning is important but playing can bring more advantages to the child’s life at this stage as it can help them develop more physically and mentally.

The group for learning argued that playing derives from learning as a child has to learn how to play and intellectual learning is better for the child as being smart is important and fun.

Following their debate, the audience was able to make recommendation, ask questions and express their views and this even saw the active participation of the primary students.

Among questions raised was: “Do we learn to play or do we play to learn?”

Another member of the audience said if the focus is too much on playing we will see that after 8 years the child will only want to play and neglect learning in school so he suggested that there be a balance between the two and they should work together.

While some stated that learning can also be fun and that during early childhood stages learning is imperative, others strongly believe that playing is more important than learning.

A representative from the Seychelles Police took it upon herself to congratulate the team debating for learning and said that it was a great debate as everybody was convinced that learning is boring and playing is fun.

“Everybody loves playing, so it’s only normal that they are for it but at the end of the day playing is part of the learning process and learning derives from playing,” she said.

At the end the audience seemed more in favour of playing than learning but the two groups mutually agreed that both should prevail.

Mr Laurence said SNYC is proud to be part of this historical moment as Seychelles is being recognised for its effort to better cater for its young children, while we are also being chosen as an example for other countries.

“Seychelles is taking another step forward to better understand how the early childhood stage of a child happens,” he said.

He said he saw the beauty in how both teams applauded each other when a strong point or argument was made.

In his closing remarks Mr Pillay congratulated both teams and thanked SNYC as well as IECD to bring forth the youth.

“It is a must for youths’ voice to be heard,” he said. “As an educator I would like to point out that playing is important in a child’s life while growing up but when they attend school, it is through playing or game that the child will learn better and it also helps them develop their social skills such as dialogue or cooperation,” he said.