SPED 5320/6320 Assessment of Play

Taking Care of Business… Due Today: Presymbolic Assessment Due Next Week: Symbolic Assessment

Today’s Objectives… ….Where are we going? Understand (and be able to communicate to others) the importance of play in child development. Reading Summary & Discussion Recognize the different types of play “Play” Activity & Discussion Examine the factors that influence play Discussion Plan and implement assessment of play Assignment #3, Video & Discussion

Discussion from Readings… Small Group Discussion An administrator of your ECSE program states that every time she observes you in the classroom, the children are simply “playing”. Prepare 3-5 concise AND informative statements regarding the importance of play in child development.

Let’s Play! Types of Play Play with Objects Social Play

Play with Objects ______________ play: explores properties of object by banging, stirring, rolling, etc. examples: ______________ play: uses materials to make or build things ______________ play: uses objects to pretend, begins with real objects, acts out roles using imaginary objects Games with rules: rules can be unspoken or formally stated

Social Play Play with Adults: plays with parent or other adult age this begins: Birth _____________ Play: plays alone rather than with peers age this begins:12-18 Months _____________ Play: children play side by side but activities are unrelated age this begins:1-2 1/2 years ______________ Play: children play with same materials but without creating together age this begins:2 1/2 - 3 years

Social Play (cont.) ______________ Play: children create a play theme together age this begins:3 - 3 1/2 years ______________ Play: puts it all together highest levels of social play and play with objects

Factors That Influence Play Planned Experiences (e.g., Feeney et al., 2001; Gargiulo & Kilgo; 2005; NAEYC, 1991;) appropriate centers Space (e.g, Bailey & Wolery, 1992; Carta, Sainato, & Greenwood, 1988; Gordon & Browne, 2004) opportunities exist for solitary, parallel, and sociodramatic outdoor and indoor house & block area (sharing of materials between house & block) Materials (e.g, McWilliam, et al; 2001; Odom & Bailey, 2001) Name materials that can support constructive play. Can they also support Sensorimotor? Dramatic? Name mateerials that can support parallel play. Can they also support solitary? Cooperative?

Factors That Influence Play (cont.) Time (Cristie, Johnsen, & Peckover; 1988) Long Play Sessions (e.g, 30 min) more group play more constructive play more group-dramatic play Shorter Play Sessions (e.g, 15 min) more unoccupied/onlooking/transition behavior more functional (motor) play

Guidelines for Early Childhood Programs Provide daily free play of at least ______minutes Examine schedule to maximize use of time Avoid scheduling play ________ as a before school activity Educate others about the _______ of play Assist children who have difficulty with play Avoid _______________ same children from play on a regular basis

Assignment #3: Assessment of Play Required Reading: Play: The Pathway from Theory to Practice (Heideman & Hewitt, 2010) Chapters 1-5 Background/Assessment p 73-102 Explains Play Checklist Chapters 6-9 Intervention Required reading for next week

Play Checklist Basic Structure skills are listed order of acquisition goal is the next skill listed early skills are 2 1/2 to 3 year old later skills are 4 1/2 to 5 year old

Play Checklist Observe when opportunity for sociodramatic play exists Make sure the child knows the other children Observe 2-3 times Use a running record to gather information

Lets’ Practice Video and Discussion Handout

“Let’s Play Kitchen” >

Today’s Objectives… …Where have we been? Understand (and be able to communicate to others) the importance of play in child development. Could you communicate this to colleagues at your school? Recognize the different types of Play Observe the children in your work setting….take note of how they play (important for next week’s class session!) Examine the Factors that Influence Play Spend a few minutes this week examining your environment, choose one factor to “manipulate” and observe the results Plan Assessment of Play Begin Assignment #3