TYPES OF PLAY

 Children love to play, and play often mirrors what is important in their lives. Play can be quiet or noisy, messy or orderly, funny or serious, strenuous or effortless. It can take place inside or outside, play can be structured or unstructured and develops as children grow and change. Children play for different reasons. Sometimes they are consolidating existing learning, practicing a skill or they are exploring or learning new things. Play can also be a way of building or strengthening a relationship. Children often play simply for fun and enjoyment. They bring their own interpretations of situations, events, experiences, and expectations to their play.

In my research for Early Years Worksheets Hub, I came across a great resource from Learning and developing through play (Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework) and Bob Hughes, that explains different types of play. 

CREATIVE PLAY

Creative play involves children exploring and using their bodies and materials to make and do things and to share their feelings, ideas and thoughts. They enjoy being creative by dancing, painting, playing with junk and recycled materials, working with play-dough and clay, and using their imaginations. 

DRAMATIC PLAY

Play where children figure out roles to play, assign them and then act them out. 

SOCIO-DRAMATIC PLAY

When children act out experiences, e.g., playing house, going to the shops or going to a restaurant.

SOCIAL PLAY

Any social or interactive situation where the expectation is that everyone will follow the set rules - like during a game or while making something together.

PHYSICAL OR LOCOMOTOR PLAY

Involves children developing, practicing and refining bodily movements and control. It includes whole body and limb movements, co-ordination and balance. These activities involve physical movements for their own sake and enjoyment. Children gain control over their gross motor skills first before refining their fine motor skills.

EXPLORATORY PLAY

Exploratory play involves children using physical skills and their senses to find out what things feel like and what can be done with them. Children explore their own bodies and then they explore the things in their environment.

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Manipulative play involves practicing and refining motor skills. This type of play enhances physical dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination. Over time children need to experience a range of different levels of manipulation if they are to refine their motor skills. This type of play includes manipulating objects and materials.

 IMPORTANCE OF PLAY

pediatrics.aappublications.org/ made an extensive research on importance of play to children and it includes

1. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.

2. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.

3. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.

4. As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges.

5. Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.

6. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.

7. Ideally, much of play involves adults, but when play is controlled by adults, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills.

8. In contrast to passive entertainment, play builds active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels in children, which is one important strategy in the resolution of the obesity epidemic.

9. Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood.

10. Finally, parents and caregivers need to also ply with children because when parents observe their children in play or join with them in child-driven play, they are given a unique opportunity to see the world from their child’s vantage point as the child navigates a world perfectly created just to fit his or her needs. The interactions that occur through play tell children that parents are fully paying attention to them and help to build enduring relationships.

I will love to hear your feedback on this.

Thank you.