1. Play in Early Childhood
Created by Kathryn Stephenson, December 2015
Adapted from Utah Education Network

2. What is “play”?
A study conducted in 1981 defined play as, “a subset of life…an arrangement in which one can practice behavior without dreading its consequence”
It’s important part of a child’s life
Provides purpose & helps them grow

3. 5 Basic Areas of Growth 1. Physical:
Play develops large & small muscles and increases speed, strength, and coordination
2. Emotional:
Children learn how to handle their feelings & fears; opportunities to express emotions that they have seen others express

4. Areas of Growth 3. Intellectual:
Teaches children how things work; learn how to reason, solve problems & practice new mental skills
4. Social:
Teaches types of social behaviors that are acceptable; find ways to get long with other people; learn how to share, cooperate & understand others

5. Areas of Growth
5. Moral:
Children learn to be honest & considerate as they play

6. Social Patterns of Children
1. Unoccupied Behavior:
Child is not involved in any particular activity
Observes what seems interesting at the time
When nothing is interesting, will walk/look around, play with fingers, hair
Often appears to be day dreaming

7. Social Patterns of Children
2. Onlooker Behavior:
Involves watching other children play
May talk to other children, but does not become actively involved
Onlooker wants to be close enough to interact with the children
Common in Toddlers

8. Social Patterns of Children
3. Solitary Play:
When a child plays alone
No interest in anyone else or what they are doing
Toys they play with are different than what other kids are playing wih
Totally involved in personal activity
Common in Infants

9. Social Patterns of Children
4. Parallel Play:
Involves a child playing beside other children
There is no actual interaction, but toys are similar
Child is playing beside the other children rather than with them
Common in 2 – 3 year olds

10. Social Patterns of Children
5. Associative Play:
Child plays with other children
Shares toys & interacts with others
Involved in similar but not identical activity
Child does what they want, but is a part of a big group
Common in 3 years – School Age Children

11. Social Patterns of Children
6. Cooperative Play:
Involves organization
Child is part of a group that has a specific purpose, such as making an art project or playing a game
There are usually leaders & followers in this type of play

12. Types of Play Make-Believe Play: Play house, doctor, bank, etc.
Teaches about real-life situations & problem-solving
Child can express themselves in a different role
Act out things they experienced – happy moments, sad, fears/anxieties

13. Types of Play Active Play:
Playing & interacting with others and/or objects
Need to be involved in active play because they learn through active play
Active play is not just running & jumping, but also by reading a book, puzzles, looking at clouds, and much more

14. Types of Play Passive Play:
Child does not interact with anyone or anything
Examples: when they are tired, angry, watching TV, or need a few minutes alone
When passive play is the majority, caregiver needs to involve the child in active play
Children must be limited to the amount of passive play they have

15. Types of Play Skill Mastery Play:
Occurs when child is learning new skill
They will repeat the behavior over & over, even for hours
Examples: riding a bike, skating, rolling down a hill
Developments: perfecting a skill, recognizes self progress, feels sense of accomplishement, builds self-esteem

16. Types of Play Sensory Motor Play: Utilizes the senses & motor skills
Examples: playing with sand, mud, water, playdough, packing materials, any textural media involved to learn about pre-math & pre-science concepts

17. Types of Play Rough-and-Tumble Play:
Usually looks like wrestling or fighting
Childrens faces will show happiness & their tone will be pleasant
If anger or fear in voice or face, caregiver needs to step in
This type of play allows release of energy, and physical & social development