Play

Play from 0-5 yrs

Exploratory: (0-12 months) - driven by sensorimotor play, socialization, bonding​ 

Functional: (12-24 months) - Using toy according to their purpose (ie: phone as phone vs banana as phone). Begins to evolve around 18m into multischema, symbolic play

Symbolic: (24-36 months) - multischema play into pretend play sequences. Uses toys to represent people or animals, plays house and assigns roles to others.  (banana is a phone but I know it is still a banana)

Constructive: (24-36 months) - drawing, puzzles, simple building. Begins to evolve around 3 years into more developed play

Constructive pt 2: (3-5 yrs) - more independent in creating (ie: drawing), building and block play between 3-4 years. By 4-5 years, can construct more complex structures (ie: simple Lego set but more than just a tower). 

Complex Imaginery Play: (3-4 yrs) - complex scripts, tells a story using toys (ie: dolls have different names, various roles)​

Games with Rules: (4-5 yrs) - begins to develop here; have the attention and regulation to begin these games. Group games - ie duck duck goose, Red Rover. Continues to develop throughout childhood

Social/Dramatic Play: (4-5 yrs) - dress up, role play with other kids, telling a story using various roles assigned to different kids

Develompent of Play 5+

• Begins to develop around 4 yrs, and play skills mature after age 5

• Games with Rules:

  • Age 5-6: board games, computer games, competitive & cooperative games begin to become "fun" (e.g. Candyland)

  • Age 6-10: same types of games but not involve more abstract thinking, problem-solving abilities as executive functioning continues to develop (e.g. Sorry)

• Social Play

  • Age 5-6: goal of winning emerges, organized play in groups (e.g. kickball at recess)

  • Age 6-10: has consistent, preferred friends, play with peers is the predominant play moving forward, both at home and at school

Play: holistic & promotes all dimensions of health, including physical, social, emotional, mental, environmental, & spiritual

Leisure: participation in sports, arts, entertainment, social, self-improvement, & religious activities

Play Strategies for Common Childhood Conditions:

• ADHD

  • Characteristics

    • short attention span

    • easily distracted

    • enjoys novelty

    • impulsive behaviors

  • Play Strategies

    • identify play preferences

    • explore strategies for making friendships

    • provide opportunities to play outdoors

    • engage child in high impact play events (such as trampolining, jumping rope, wheelbarrow racing, crawling)

    • encourage activities that can be achieved in short timespan

  • Specific Intervention Ideas

    • Wilderness Training: can give them tasks to do outside (ie: find 5 sticks) ​

    • Red Light Green allows the child to play in a group – high impact play and done in a short time. EFFORTFUL CONTROL​/inhibition

    • Wheelbarrow races: allow teamwork, use of multiple muscles, and give competition​

• ASD

  • Characteristics

    • likes repetitive behaviors

    • needs routines for successful engagement

    • enjoys objects and natural elements in environment

    • needs help to understand humor, jokes, or nonverbal communication

  • Play Strategies

    • identify play preferences

    • explore strategies for making friendships

    • provide outdoor experiences for play that allow freedom to self-control play choices 

    • use social stories when introducing new playgrounds or places for play

  • Specific Intervention Ideas

    • Sensory based play like sand bins and water. ​

    • Social story utilizing physical items to provide sensation throughout story (i.e. Dan will play in the water – have them play in water bin)​

    • Playing with sticker books, allowing the kiddo to find the correct number for its specific spot--> repetitive, can also provide sensory stimulation.  

• DCD/Dyspraxia

  • Characteristics

    • Difficulty with coordination and balance​

    • May prefer activities that do not involve a lot of manipulation​

    • Enjoys games or activities they can control themselves, which are not competitive​

    • Able to problem solve and figure things out

  • Play Strategies

    • Difficulty with coordination and balance​

    • May prefer activities that do not involve a lot of manipulation​

    • Enjoys games or activities they can control themselves, which are not competitive​

    • Able to problem solve and figure things out

  • Specific Intervention Ideas

    • Pretend play pirates where they have to navigate their ship (weight shifting); finding treasure (they have control, no competition) and then have to walk the plank (balance/coordination)​

    • Balloon volleyball since the balloon is lighter and easier than a ball. Also slower in movement so tracking the balloon will be easier ​

    • Obstacle course with balance beam for balance and a puzzle at the end for problem solving

• Hearing & Visual Impairments

  • Characteristics

    • Needs time to orient and understand the physical layout and opportunities in the play environment​

  • Play Strategies

    • Identify play preferences​

    • Explore strategies for making friendships​

    • Provide structured play opportunities with enhanced multisensory characteristics​

    • Support risk-taking at the just-right level

  • Specific Intervention Ideas

    • braille card games like uno with number braille stamps​

    • Large print books, playing cards​

    • Exploring with different textured objects/toys for sensory stimulation (sensory bins, sensory bottles, etc.)​

    • Textured arts and crafts activities​

    • Tactile board games (Checkers, Chess)