Why We Play: Recreation Motivations
Understanding what drives us to participate in recreational activities Year 9 Health and Physical Education
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
LI: We are learning to recognise different motivations for recreation SC: I can identify why people choose to participate in different forms of recreation and discuss personal motivations
Think About It
What recreational activities did you do last weekend? Why did you choose those particular activities?
S - Stimulus: Recreation Video Analysis
Watch the short recreation video Write down three activities you see For each activity, note why you think the person might be doing it
Types of Recreation Motivations
Physical Health - staying fit and healthy Mental Wellbeing - stress relief and relaxation Social Connection - meeting people and building relationships Personal Challenge - testing skills and pushing limits Fun and Enjoyment - pure entertainment and pleasure Skill Development - learning new abilities
O - Investigating Motivation
Form small groups of 3-4 students Share your video observations Discuss: What motivates each person you observed? Categories to consider: Relaxation? Challenge? Social connection? Fun?
Recreation Motivation Examples
{"left":"Swimming - fitness, relaxation, social\nRock climbing - challenge, skill development\nVideo gaming - fun, social connection, challenge\nReading - relaxation, mental stimulation","right":"Team sports - social, fitness, competition\nHiking - nature connection, fitness, mental health\nMusic - creativity, skill development, expression\nDancing - fitness, social, fun, cultural expression"}
L - Peer Interview
Partner up with someone you don't usually work with Interview each other about: • Your favourite recreational activity • Why you enjoy it • What motivates you to participate Take turns - 3 minutes each person
Recreation and Personal Identity
"The activities we choose for recreation often reflect who we are and who we want to become. Understanding our motivations helps us make better choices for our wellbeing."
V/E - Reflection and Sharing
Individual reflection: Write one key insight about recreation motivation in your learning journal Whole class sharing: Volunteers share their insight Consider: How might understanding motivations help you choose future recreational activities?