Hi, the innate nature of play is recognised in the very first of the playwork principles:
http://www.playwales.org.uk/login/up...principles.pdf
Innate means built in, born with a motivation or drive to do something that has had no interference, intervention, suggestion or guidance, seemingly from anyone.
Quote from
page 161 of the EYE handbook
Play is not something new. It would appear that for thousands of years children have played. It would also seem they are born primed and ready to play and also to explore. Interestingly they do this without needing any rewards from adults and will often play for hours at a time. There is some speculation that, as many young animals play as a way of practising skills, this is probably the basis for children's interest in play.
Page 162/3 goes on to look at how setting's can meet children's right to play (under
Article 31 of the UNCRC children have the right to play) by examining how they include times for play in their daily routines eg. schools have breaktimes, nurseries and childminders base their practice on providing opportunities that promote and support play.
Hth