How Play Affects A Child's Development

Play is an essential part of every child's development. Through various types of play, a child has an opportunity to develop emotional, physical, and social abilities. Play promotes learning and provides benefits in all developmental domains. Children explore and learn about the world around them through play. Most developmental theories emphasize the importance of play for child's cognitive and learning development. There are six types of play: Unoccupied Play, Solitary play, Onlooker Play, Parallel Play, Associative Play, and Cooperative Play. Each type of play has a purpose in the development of the child and each type of play develops from the other types of play beginning with unoccupied play and ending with cooperative play.

The Six Types of Play

Unoccupied Play

This play is conducted by children that are newborns and infants. The term occupied play refers to activity in which the child is not really playing at all they are exploring their surrounding. The child may be in engaged in movements that have no objective. During this play, the child is figuring out how things work to be able to engage in future play.

Solitary Play

When the child plays alone entertaining themselves they are conducting solitary play. This play is conducted by children of all ages but is most common in children ages 2 to 3. This play teaches the child to be self-sufficient.

Onlooker Play

Onlooker play is when the child is simply observing other children play. During onlooker play the child generally doesn’t take part in the activity, however, may ask the children about the game they are playing. Children may decide to take part in this form of play because they are shy.

Parallel Play

Parallel play is when children play side by side with one another. They often mimic the play that the other children are doing. During this play, children can learn sharing and social etiquette. This play is an important bridge to the later stages of play.

Associative Play

During associative play children still, play separately but with the same goal. Children learn to socialize, work together, and to problem solve. Children begin associative play with no set plan but developed a plan as they begin to work together.

Cooperative Play

While in cooperative play the skills the children have been learning come together in group play. The children begin to define roles, they might even create an imaginary world in which to play. They all decide on the rules of the game and what toys will be used together. During this style play communication is important and even apart of the play.