Child Studies

Child Development and Play

Developmental Stages of play Important to match play activities with

developmental level Infants – simple items that stimulate

senses and encourage exploration Toddlers – physical activities – mobile

and energetic Pre-schoolers – develop new abilities –

make things they are proud of Early primary – longer attention spans

– more sustained games - adult skills

Types of Play

Spontaneous play and structured play

Preschool – more structured play – both still important.

Six types of play: creative; discovery or exploratory; imaginative or pretend; manipulative; physical; social.

Can be involved in more than one type of play at a time

Creative play

Expresses ideas or emotions to make something original

Helps children discover properties of materials as well as fine motor development

Encourages experimentation and exploration

Usually satisfying and hence increases self esteem

End product not important – should always be praised for their efforts.

Discovery play

Allows children to find out about objects – size; shape; colour; texture; uses

Objects can break – learns to take care

Uses all senses – sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing

May involve climbing a tree, digging in sand, pulling a toy apart or putting a hand in the honey jar.

Imaginative play

Imagines to be someone else or somewhere else

Often those around must imagine too May talk to toys or objects, make up

manes using characters. Act out using words Helps them understand behaviour and

roles eg. Shopping, families, doctors Develop communication and social skills Allows them to act out fears and

fantasies

Manipulative play

Involves working with the hands in a skilful way

Coordinates hands, eyes and brain Learns shapes, to sort and think

logically Develops fine and gross motor

skills Sense of satisfaction from

achievement

Physical play

Body work or exercise Running, chasings, crawling,

jumping, balancing, ball games, riding…

Learn muscle control and coordination

Use energy Develop fitness

Social play

Playing together is social play Learn sharing, communication,

acceptable behaviour, belonging. Learn consequences of anti-social

behaviour Observe others Learn about relationships

5 stages of social play

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.

Parallel Play – 18-30 mths. Play alongside. Awareness but no real attempt to play or communicate together. Play intently, alone.

5 stages of play – cont’d

Associative play – 2 ½ + - copying other children

Deliberate and extended interaction between children

Extended time but limited communication

Beginning to watch older children

5 stages of play (cont’d)

Cooperative Play – 3 yrs + most children able to play actively together

Decide together what to do and play

Share materials and ideas Communication established Relationship evident

5 stages of play (cont’d)

Competitive play – 6+ children able to play together in games with rules

Understand that rules games have winners

Understand not everyone can be winners