Understand why play is important, it's purpose, and the stages of play

1. PracticumI:
The Importance of Play

2. What was your favorite toy when you
were a kid?
Describe it.
How did you play with it?
Did others play with you?
Why was it important to you?

3. What is Play?
• Free of rules (unless imposed by the kids)
• Controlled by the kids
• Carried out as if it were real life
• Focus is activity, not the product
• Requires interaction & involvement of kids

4. Play is
considered a
reflection of
the child’s
growth
A “window”
into the child’s
world

5. Through play, children learn…
• about themselves
• about others
• about the world around them
• how to solve problems

6. Stages of Play
Cooperative
Associative
Parallel
Onlooker
Solitary
Unoccupied

7. Unoccupied Play
Mainly infants
• Random movements, no objective
In older kids:
• Stands in one spot
• Looks around
• Wanders

8. Solitary Play
Infants & Toddlers
• Plays alone
• Plays away from others
• Important stage! Teaches a child how to
keep self entertained

9. Onlooker Play
Toddlers
• Watch while others play
• Talks/shows interest, but does not enter
into play

10. Parallel Play
2-3 year olds
• Playing beside others, but not with them
• Often use toys & actions similar to the
others
• Mimic each other, take turns

11. Associative Play
3 years – school age
• Share toys
• Social interaction but little to no
organization
• Interested in others but with no agreed on
plan

12. Cooperative Play
4 years – school age
• Social interaction in a group with a specific
purpose
• Organized activities, games
• Leaders and followers

13. Learning for the whole child
Creative
Physical
Intellectual/Cognitive
Emotional
Social

14. Purposes of Play
Creative Development
o Imagination
o Divergent Thinking
Physical Development
o Sensorimotor Skills
o Fitness and Health
Intellectual Development
o Symbolic Thought
o Acquire Information and Skills
o Language Development

15. Purposes of Play
Emotional Development
o Expression of Feelings
o Relieves Pressure
o “I can do this!” (mastery)
Social Development
o Pretend Play: Dramatic and Sociodramatic
o Games with Rules

16. Facilitate Creative Play
Allow Children's Ideas to Develop…
…Avoid Dominating the Play
Teacher-
Directed Play Child-Initiated Play
(w/ Teacher Support)
Teacher intervention is needed at times

17. Ways to Stimulate Play
• Ask open-ended questions
• Make suggestions
• Use language to enrich play
• Be an “assistant” to the child
• Use real life experiences

18. Think About It!