Child Studies Child Development and Play

Developmental Stages of play n Important to match play activities with developmental level n Infants – simple items that stimulate senses and encourage exploration n Toddlers – physical activities – mobile and energetic n Pre-schoolers – develop new abilities – make things they are proud of n Early primary – longer attention spans – more sustained games - adult skills

Types of Play n Spontaneous play and structured play n Preschool – more structured play – both still important. n Six types of play: creative; discovery or exploratory; imaginative or pretend; manipulative; physical; social. n Can be involved in more than one type of play at a time

Creative play n Expresses ideas or emotions to make something original n Helps children discover properties of materials as well as fine motor development n Encourages experimentation and exploration n Usually satisfying and hence increases self esteem n End product not important – should always be praised for their efforts.

Discovery play n Allows children to find out about objects – size; shape; colour; texture; uses n Objects can break – learns to take care n Uses all senses – sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing n May involve climbing a tree, digging in sand, pulling a toy apart or putting a hand in the honey jar.

Imaginative play n Imagines to be someone else or somewhere else n Often those around must imagine too n May talk to toys or objects, make up manes using characters. n Act out using words n Helps them understand behaviour and roles eg. Shopping, families, doctors n Develop communication and social skills n Allows them to act out fears and fantasies

Manipulative play n Involves working with the hands in a skilful way n Coordinates hands, eyes and brain n Learns shapes, to sort and think logically n Develops fine and gross motor skills n Sense of satisfaction from achievement

Physical play n Body work or exercise n Running, chasings, crawling, jumping, balancing, ball games, riding… n Learn muscle control and coordination n Use energy n Develop fitness

Social play n Playing together is social play n Learn sharing, communication, acceptable behaviour, belonging. n Learn consequences of anti-social behaviour n Observe others n Learn about relationships

5 stages of social play n Solitary play – 0-18mths. Play alone with adult nearby; explore environment; adult initiated play – clap hands; aware of other children but interaction is limited / accidental. n Parallel Play – mths. Play alongside. Awareness but no real attempt to play or communicate together. Play intently, alone.

5 stages of play – cont’d n Associative play – 2 ½ + - copying other children n Deliberate and extended interaction between children n Extended time but limited communication n Beginning to watch older children

5 stages of play (cont’d) n Cooperative Play – 3 yrs + most children able to play actively together n Decide together what to do and play n Share materials and ideas n Communication established n Relationship evident

5 stages of play (cont’d) n Competitive play – 6+ children able to play together in games with rules n Understand that rules games have winners n Understand not everyone can be winners