“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” ~ George Dorsey
Knowing the types of play kids engage in can help parents better empathize with and also encourage the cognitive development of their young ones. Almost one hundred years ago, social psychologist Mildred Parten Newhall, who outlined six stages of play in her dissertation paper, described the importance of games for kids’ brain development.
Her classification is still widely used by specialists today. According to Parten, children engage in:
- unoccupied play
- solitary or independent play
- onlooker play
- parallel play
- associative play, and
- cooperative play.
Unoccupied play
From birth up to three months, infants are busy making seemingly random movements, also known as unoccupied play. Just observing is the infants’ way of discovering the environment.
In the first three months after birth, we can encourage our babies to play by presenting them with toys like colourful pictures, rattles, crib decorations. Relaxing music and music boxes can also raise their interest. Wooden toys are not recommended at this age as babies are not yet ready to grasp.
Solitary or Independent Play
Solitary play is typical in children aged up to two years. A child focuses on a single activity or toy and is uninterested in what happens around them. Playing by themselves is common in babies and toddlers who have limited social and language skills.
In infants, sucking hands and feet and putting their hands in the mouth are perfect ways to learn about their bodies. A 5-month-old will hungrily grasp and manipulate toys for short periods. The time spent alone on a single activity increases with age.
At 15 months, a young kid can stack blocks in the corner of the room, alone, for 10 minutes in a row, without paying attention to anyone around him.
By the time they are two years old, toddlers are able to use symbols. For instance, Julia, who is 26 months old offers her bottle of water to her doll as she believes she is thirsty. Mikey, who is 2 and a half years old, likes to park his cars underneath the carpet which he imagines to be underground parking.
Onlooker Play
Onlooker play is when the child watches the others’ games but does not engage directly. In infancy, it implies focusing on objects nearby. Toddlers and preschoolers may observe attentively a new activity happening around them, but may not wish to get involved if feeling unsure. It is also possible for children to ask questions about what the others are doing, but without getting involved.
For example, a new child at daycare may spend the first days actively watching other children, but may not want to interfere until he gains confidence and becomes familiar with the surroundings.
Parallel Play
Children that are more than six months old may play side by side, using similar toys or mimicking each other. However, they seemingly ignore one another.
This type of activity is a transitional one, in between onlooker behavior and cooperative games. It is frequently seen in younger children with limited language skills.
It develops self-confidence, awareness to other people’s feelings, increases the ability to create and maintain relationships and fosters language development. That is why it is essential to participate in play dates even if you believe your child prefers to play alone.
Associative Play
Associative play is for children that are more socially mature. It usually appeals to kids who are between three and four years old. In this phase, children get engaged in the same activity with somebody next to them, but they do not necessarily work together toward the same goal. There are not any rules although toys may be exchanged occasionally. This type of activity is common in toddlers and preschoolers.
An example is a group of toddlers busily manipulating figures and wagons in a toy railway set, borrowing or lending pieces to each other, and also communicating about what they are doing.
Cooperative Play
Late preschoolers can play in an organized setting in which they follow the rules and have assigned roles. These games require developed skills such as sharing, taking turns, following rules and negotiating. Moreover, a set structure will encourage children to understand limits and manage their conduct.
Activities like a scavenger hunt, building sand castles, lego, solving a giant puzzle, board games, freeze tag, dressing up all enter into this category.
Cooperative play, preferably with limited adult interference, brings a myriad of advantages. It promotes decision-making skills, social skills, sharing opinions, and encourages empathy.
