THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY

According to sociologist Mildred Parten Newhall there are 6 stages of play during early childhood (ages 2-5) -- all of which are important for child development. Play is any activity, structured or unstructured, that your child finds enjoyable. Through play, your child explores the world, learns about themselves and their interests, develops skills, and learns to socialize.

1. UNOCCUPIED PLAY – 0 - 3 months.
Babies’ activities seem to be without purpose—they move their bodies, touch materials, and observe their surroundings.

Babies are:

• Practicing control of their bodies
• Finding how to manipulate materials
• Learning how the world around them works

Adults can:

• Provide variety of safe toys to touch and hold
• Place baby in varying positions or locations to observe bold, bright objects, motion, or activities
• Talk or sing to baby or play music

2. SOLITARY PLAY – 0 - 2 years.
Very young children play alone and seem uninterested in playing with others.

Very young children are:

• Increasing ability to concentrate
• Learning to play independently
• Learning self-motivation

Adults can:

• Provide safe environment to explore
• Provide developmentally appropriate materials
• Demonstrate how things works

3.  ONLOOKER PLAY – 2 years, but some children continue for many years.
Young children watch the activities of other children, but do not play with them. They may show interest by speaking to those playing or asking questions about their play.

Young children are:

• Learning how play works
• Gathering ideas to try on their own
• Learning social-emotional skills by observing others

Adults can:

• Provide opportunities for child to observe same-age or older children play
• Make sure play environment is age-appropriate and supervised
• Set an example by playing or interacting with others but do not try to force child to do so

4.  PARALLEL PLAY – 2 - 3 years
Children play alongside one another, maybe with the same toy or doing the same activity but may not talk.

Child is:

• Building confidence
• Acquiring feelings of belonging to a group
• Developing cognitive, physical, and verbal skills by mimicking the play of others

Adults can:

• Initiate activities that bring children together like Ring Around the Rosie
• Provide play materials such as blocks which encourage interaction with others
• Organize activities for child to experience the fun of being part of a group such as using shaky eggs while singing a song together

5.  ASSOCIATIVE PLAY – 2 - 3 years
Children are interested in playing with one other and participating in the same activity, but not necessarily coordinating the play. The interaction may still be limited.

Children are:

• Learning cooperation and sharing
• Learning to solve problems both socially and cognitively
• Practicing verbal skills

Adults can:

• Provide opportunities for playing with others, but can still be independent like at a playground
• Offer materials like dress-up clothing or cooking utensils to encourage interaction
• Model ways child can use words and actions to facilitate cooperation with others

6.  COOPERATIVE/SOCIAL PLAY – 4 - 6 years.
Children are interested in playing the same activity with other children.

Children are:

• Learning to negotiate and be adaptive
• Practicing expressing themselves and understanding others
• Trying new things

Adults can:

• Offer open-ended toys such as empty boxes or figures that can encourage creative play
• Alternate or vary play materials
• Challenge child by asking questions to help solve a problem or move play to the next level