Combining Digital
and Physical Play
By Emma Jayne Morgan
Research suggests that younger children use digital devices in a very passive way, mostly watching content or playing games
alone. This type of play not only isolates children but takes them away from physical play opportunities. As well as this,
children are spending less time outdoors than ever before, preferring to sit in front of a television or tablet. It is important that
we challenge this solitary media activity not only at home but also in the setting, as we can act as role models for what
children could be taking part in outside of school.
When children prioritise digital play over physical play it can limit their learning opportunities. Physical play incorporates
learning by touch in a practical and hands on manner which is often the preferred and most effective method of learning for
children. The isolation of digital play can be a problem for children’s communication and language as well as social and
cognitive development because they are missing out on important learning opportunities which can happen in the “real”
world.
However, the digital world is here to stay so we need to actively use it in an effective way. If computer and tablets, games and
applications are created in a different way they can actually be of benefit to children. To ensure this they need to be less
passive and encourage collaboration. Mixing the digital and physical worlds and moving freely between them is what
children do naturally anyway so this is a logical step.
There are a number of pieces of research working on exactly this so let’s take a look into the future. One researcher is
experimenting with using a story telling application combined with tangible objects that children can handle and
manipulate that interact with the device. Their findings so far have been very positive. Where previously a child would listen
and watch a story passively, by adding these objects the experience has become so much more. Children played
collaboratively, exploring the objects and their purposes and effects both in the “real” and “digital” world. They interacted
with one another and used their imaginations at a much higher level. By adding physical objects, the digital device became
a facilitator to a playful, social experience that incorporated movement and language.
Another piece of research is looking into an application where children can choose games they want to play in an outdoor
environment. It encourages children to play outside and to socialise with other children.
These are just ideas at the moment however Lego have made the first steps into making these ideas a reality with the launch
of Lego Fusion. This incorporates physical building blocks into digital games. This is for ages 7+ right now but I am sure they
will branch out to younger children in time.
Another company who have started the journey of making this idea a reality are Play-Doh. Their Touch Shape to Life Studio
provides play dough and cutters for building models. Once complete there is a star-shaped plastic studio platform to stand
them on and then they are captured with an iPad or iPhone. The related app creates a digital version of the sculpture,
incorporating it into a game.
So, keep an eye out for these new digital and physical worlds combining and think of ways you could do the same in your
setting. Use your imagination to grasp children’s attention in new and exciting ways!