Why do children play?
Purpose of Play:
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To have fun
Learn about themselves
Learn about their world
For entertainment
Active and Quiet Play
• Active Play – activities that are primarily
physical and use the large-motor skills.
– Climbing a tree, playing tag, etc.
• Quiet Play – activities that engage the mind
and small-motor skills and no not call for
much movement.
– Reading a book, playing with clay, coloring, etc.
Play of Infants
• Learn about the world through
their senses
• Put things into their mouths
• Be sure that there are no sharp
edges or small parts that could be
swallowed
Infants and Play
• Sensory toys – objects
that stimulate the senses
with different textures,
shapes, sounds, and
colors.
– Mobiles, teething rings,
toys that squeak or rattle.
Solitary Play – when a child plays by
themselves. Seen often in infants and young
toddlers.
• 3 months – roll over and grasp
rattle
• 6 months – play “pat-a-cake” and
“peek-a-boo”
• They love to drop toys and watch
you pick them up
• Very short attention span
• Talk to baby to develop language
skills, they need stimulation to
learn
Play of Toddlers
• Allow room for running
• Alternate between active
play and quiet play
• Can undress self
Parallel Play – play next to each other, but not
together
Play of Preschoolers
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Proud of their abilities (“Watch me!”)
Rides a tricycle with ease
Loves to climb around the jungle gym
Able to throw and catch a ball
Enjoys crafts – finger paints, clay…
Learning to use blunt scissors
Love to explore
Asks a lot of questions (“Why? Why?”)
Enjoy role-play and dress up
Able to use a fork and knife by age 5
Cooperative Play – when
children actually play
together and share things
* Ages 3 and up
Pretend Play – a type of play which allows
children to learn about their world. It may
include things like playing house, store,
school, post office and so on.
Play of School-Age Children
• Better at playing on their own
• Enjoy organized games and sports