Prof Anita Bundy

Faculty of Health Sciences

Evaluating

playfulness in

young children:

Test of Playfulness

(TOP) & Test Of

Environmental

Supportiveness

(TOES)

Play is a Paradox

Paradox: Statements

that have

contradictory or

inconsistent

qualities.

• Play is the primary

occupation of

children

• Play is the primary

means by which

children learn

• Play is a waste of

time

What is play??? .

With the person sitting next to you:

• Define play in such a way that

the definition separates play

from all other activities

• Fill in the blank: Play is . . .

Most play theorists agree. . .

• No one has ever

successfully defined play

One definition: Playfulness

PLAY

NOT PLAY

control

intrinsic

internal

motivation

free reality

extrinsic

not free

external

Assessments: Operational definitions

• How would you know the elements if

you saw them?

– Intrinsic motivation

– Internal control

– Freedom from unnecessary constraints of

reality

– Framing

• Introduction to the Test of Playfulness

Intrinsic motivation

Engaged

Plays for the process (not a reward)

Persists

Affect

Internal control

Self Shared

Decides Negotiates

Safe Social play

Modifies Supports

Interacts with

objects

Enters

Initiates

Transitions Shares

Freedom from unnecessary

constraints of reality

Creative use of objects

Mischief/teasing Pretends

Clowns/Jokes

Framing

• Gives clear play cues

• Responds to cues of others

• Maintains the play theme

Let’s Practice: Christopher

• 2 ½ year old boy

• Playing outdoors at day care

Is he playing?

PLAY

NOT PLAY

control

intrinsic

internal

motivation

free reality

extrinsic

not free

external

Intrinsic motivation

Engaged

Plays for the process (not a reward)

Persists

Affect

Internal control

Self Shared

Decides Negotiates

Safe Social play

Modifies Supports

Interacts with

objects

Enters

Initiates

Transitions Shares

Freedom from unnecessary

constraints of reality

Creative use of objects

Mischief/teasing Pretends

Clowns/Jokes

Framing

• Gives clear play cues

• Responds to cues of others

• Maintains the play theme

Environmental Support for Play:

Introduction to the TOES

• Step 1: What is motivating the child?

– What does the child get out of the activity?

TOES

• Step 2: How well do

toys, playmates and

play space help the

child to meet his/her

motivations?

A. Toys

B. Playmates

•Giving cues

•Reading cues

•Playing as equals

C. Space

•Amount &

configuration

•Safe

•Accessible

TOES

• Step 3: Is there anything

you would like to change

– to increase the

environment-motivation

fit?

Let’s Practice: Christopher

• 2 ½ year old boy

• Playing outdoors at day care

Environmental Support for Play

• What is motivating the child?

• How well do toys, playmates and play

space help the child meet his/her

motivations?

• Is there anything you would like to

change?

Other Aspects of Play

How would you assess these?

• Skills children use in play

– Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment

• Preferred play activities

– Card Sort/Interest Profiles

• Motivation for play

– ???

Parting Thoughts

• Play is the most important thing children do

• Professionals often observe play to learn

about children

• Be sure you observe what you most want

to observe: that which will teach you the

most

Questions?

Let’s Practice

• Kayden with

playdough

Let’s Practice

• Kayden 14 mos

Let’s Practice

• Kayden feeding

Fowler

Let’s Practice

• Josh and Dad

Is he playing?

PLAY

NOT PLAY

control

intrinsic

internal

motivation

free reality

extrinsic

not free

external

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaged

Plays for the process (not a reward)

Persists

Affect

Internal control

Self Shared

Decides Negotiates

Safe Social play

Modifies Supports

Interacts with

objects

Enters

Initiates

Transitions Shares

Freedom from unnecessary

constraints of reality

Creative use of objects

Mischief/teasing Pretends

Clowns/Jokes

Framing

• Gives clear play cues

• Responds to cues of others

• Maintains the play theme