Author: Annie NG
Speech and Language Therapist
If you are asked to describe how your child plays, you will probably think of how his play differs from day to day. One day, he might be playing with a cardboard box quietly by himself. The next day, he might be insistent on running around and chasing imaginary animals with you throughout the day. It might feel like your child’s play is so varied that it is hard to identify a single pattern or style.
Understanding the various stages and types of play will provide you with a general framework for understanding your child’s play, and to better appreciate each stage and type from a developmental standpoint.
Stages of play
Stages of play refer to the different developmental phases that children go through as they engage in play activities. These stages are useful in understanding the progression and changes in children’s play behaviors. Each stage of play is equally important and each lays the foundation for the next. Here are the common stages of play:
- Unoccupied play
Unoccupied play refers to a stage where children engage in seemingly random or purposeless movements without a specific goal or focus. They may sway, twirl or make spontaneous actions. This stage is often observed in infants and young toddlers who are exploring their body movements and the environment around them. This stage of play helps children gain body awareness, balance and coordination.
- Onlooker play
Onlooker play is when children observe others play but do not actively participate themselves. They may show interest in the play activities of their peers, siblings or care-givers by smiling and looking intently. Onlooker play is common in younger children who are still learning about social interactions and play dynamics. It provides an opportunity for children to learn from others, understand different play styles and gather ideas for their own play.
- Parallel play
Parallel play involves children playing next to each other without direct interaction or collaboration. They may use similar toys, share the same space or engage in similar activities, but they do not actively engage with one another. Each child maintains their focus on their own play. Parallel play is often observed in toddlers and young kindergarteners as they are developing their social skills and are exploring their independence. It allows children to learn about sharing space, observing others’ actions and imitating behaviors.
- Associative play
Associative play is characterized by children playing together in a loosely organized manner. They show interest in one another’s play and may engage in conversations, share toys or take turns. However, there is no specific goal or organized structure to their play. Associative play is often seen in kindergarteners who are developing social bonds, learning cooperation and practicing basic social rules. It helps children develop their communication skills, empathy and sharing behaviors.
- Cooperative play
Cooperative play happens when children actively play together with a shared goal or purpose. They collaborate, organize roles among themselves and work together to achieve a shared objective. Cooperative play allows children to practice how to negotiate with each other as they plan their play. This stage is typically observed in older kindergarteners and primary-school aged children who have developed more advanced social skills and are capable of following rules and are engaging in complex play scenarios. At this stage of play, children’s communication is likely more sophisticated and they are able to participate in collective problem-solving.
These stages of play are not strictly sequential or fixed. Children may transition back and forth between stages depending on their age, social context and individual development.
Types of play
Types of play refer to the nature or the kind of activity your child is doing when engaging in play. Different types of play can occur within each stage of play. Some children will be more interested in certain types of play over others and they may engage in more than one type of play at a time.
Below are the common types of play:
- Explorative play
Explorative play, also called free play or unstructured play. It involves open-ended activities that do not have specific rules, goals or predetermined outcomes. Instead, children have the freedom to choose what they want to play, how they want to play, and what direction their play takes. This type of play encourages curiosity, creativity and self-expression.
- Physical play
Physical play encompasses any play activities that involve movement and physical hard work. For example running, climbing, jumping and other forms of active play. Physical play is crucial for children’s gross motor development, coordination, strength and overall physical fitness. It is also a great outlet for their endless amount of energy.
- Constructive play
Constructive play involves using materials and objects to build or create something. Children engage in activities like building with blocks, assembling puzzles or constructing models. This type of play allows children to use their fine motor skills, spatial reasoning skills and logical thinking abilities.
- Competitive play
Competitive play happens where children engage in games or activities that involve competing with each other, such as races, sports or board games with the concept of winning and losing. The focus is on outperforming others and achieving individual success. Children of different ages can participate in different kinds of competitive play. This form of play provides opportunities for developing resilience, motivation and understanding the concept of fairness.
- Dramatic play
Dramatic play happens when children pretend to take on different roles or characters. It usually involves imitating real-life events, e.g. pretending to be a doctor or reenacting parts of a story from a book. You will probably find your child using different props and their imagination to act out different scenarios. Dramatic play helps children explore different social roles, express their emotions and expand their descriptive language skills. There is often a social element to dramatic play where your child can practice exchanging dialogues with another person.
- Symbolic play
Symbolic play, sometimes called representational play, involves using objects or actions to symbolize something else. Symbolic play and dramatic play are related but different concepts. In symbolic play, children assign meanings to objects that do not realistically connect to their function. For example, using a block as a shoe, or using a piece of paper as a hat. Apart from creativity, symbolic play also encourages abstract thinking and the concept of symbols and representation.
Play is a dynamic and multifaceted experience that positively influences our children’s brain throughout their development. No matter what stage or type of play your child is currently into, you can be sure that it is making a lasting difference in his growth and well-being.
