1. SPED 5320/6320
Assessment of Play

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

3. 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

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Lets’ Practice
Video and Discussion
Handout

16. “Let’s Play Kitchen”
>

17. 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