Play is children’s work. While play is often seen as something children do for leisure, play is actually a important part of a child’s development. Play is a self-chosen and self-directed activity that is focused on the process of play and not the product of it. As in, play is individually constructed to meet the child’s own desires and needs.
Play is imaginative and active. Through play, children develop cognitive skills and learn new information. They learn and practice social skills, like effective communication, self-regulation, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and cooperation. Equally as important is how they learn about themselves by exploring roles, interests, skills, and relationships. Play is how children explore their world.
According to Piaget, children engage in types of play that reflect their level of cognitive development. Each type of play emerges at different ages and stages of cognitive development, and the depth of the level of play changes with maturation, as well (Johnson, Christie & Wardle 2005).
Professor Sara Smilansky found that children that did not engage in this level of play displayed cognitive and emotional delays. This effect was especially present in underprivileged children. In response, Smilansky proposed that to facilitate children’s development of pretend play, adults should encourage:
Researcher Mildred Parten identified 6 different types of play in children. Three types were labeled as non-social play (unoccupied, solitary, and onlooker), and three types were categorized as social play (parallel, associative, and cooperative).
Parten also found that once a child has developed the ability to participate in a particular stage of social play, they will use combinations of that stage and earlier stages while playing. However, we find that younger children engage in non-social play more than those older and, by age five, associative and cooperative play are the most common forms of play (Dyer & Moneta, 2006).
The earliest and least common style of play throughout childhood is the unoccupied stage. This is a non-social stage that starts in infancy and may appear as random behavior without a specific goal. During this time, the child is not playing. Sitting or standing still, random movements or movements without purpose that do not meet the above definition of play can all be considered unoccupied time. Infants and toddlers may spend significant parts of their day disengaged from any play, but the amount of time spent unoccupied should decrease as children age.
Another non-social stage is solitary play. Common in children 2-3 years of age, this style of play involves a child playing alone and maintaining focus on their activity. They do not interact with others, nor are they interested in what others are doing. They also are not engaging in similar activities as the children around them. No matter the play activity, whether functional, constructive, symbolic, or game play, if the child is playing alone then it is solitary play.
Onlooker play is the final type of non-social play. During this style of play, children are observing others playing. The child may socialize with the other children, such as commenting on the activities and even make suggestions, but they will not directly join the play. Onlooker play is different from unoccupied play because, while the child is not participating in the play activity, they are engaged in social interaction and active observation.
Sometimes seen as a transitory stage from immature non-social types to the more socially mature types of play, parallel play is when a child plays adjacent to, but not with, others. The child plays separately from others, engaged in their own play with their own goals; however, the children are close enough to observe and mimicking other’s behaviors.
Around the age of 3, children will interact with each other and share toys; however, they are not yet working toward a common play goal. This more sophisticated social contact is associative play. The children will engage in the same play activity and show interest in what others are doing, but not in coordinating their activities with those people.
The child is interested both in the people playing and in coordinating their activities. In cooperative play, the activity is organized, participants have assigned roles, and children may take on different tasks to reach their shared goal. There is also increased self-identification with a group, and a group identity may emerge.
Harvard-trained Neuropsych and author of of Quick Calm which is training support for mindfulness you can do in 5 mins per day.
Designed to look, act and feel like the real Dyson parents use. Use it handheld to teach dusting or attach the long handle to teach floor vacuuming. Note: This uses light suction to pick up small pieces of paper and lightweight debris. For safety reasons it only contains light suction.
A durable set of cleaning supplies for your little helper. Teach a child that daily cleanliness matters with this mop, duster and broom set! The little handles make it easy for kids to help mirror parent’s cleaning habits. (Be sure to verify height so it fits your child well).
This kids wooden workbench helps kids learn fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination by using the wrench, hammer and screw driver . Assembling nuts and bolts encourages logical thinking and problem solving, while projects encourage coordination, creativity, resilience.
A real life set of car cleaning tools that are every bit as effective as their adult-sized companions. Help your kids understand that practical responsibilities can grow confidence, while being fun. This helps develop their motor skills and coordination but also gives them the confidence that they can complete physical tasks well.
A realistic wash room that lets kids pretend to clean clothes, fold linens, clean house, and organize their supplies just like a grown-up. This laundry room play set features realistic accessories; clicking knobs; turning dials; a beautiful arrangement of shelves, hooks, and closet space—even their own laundry basket!
This 45 piece tool kit is just like Daddy’s including a handled tool kit, an electric drill (batteries not included), hammer, goggle, screwdrivers, protective mask and knife toy and a variety of wooden pieces, nails, nuts and more. Everything is fully functional and realistic so kids can practice engineering earlier than ever!
Kids love to help mom clean up and they learn a lot while copying you keep tidy too! Get your kids ready for performing household chores while keeping them entertained with this adorable play set. The vacuum cleaner comes with lights and sounds so your child feels like their cleaning just like you.
This really high quality cashier play set is make of durable solid wood materials, and all finishes are non-toxic. It includes pushable buttons, coins, card processors, credit card and counting support for little ones. Teach kids basic math and money handling skills with this fun play set.
Includes a checkout counter with a chalkboard to write special deals on, shelves for kids to store groceries, a working conveyor belt and a register that opens up so they can check out their items. It also has over 40 additional accessories like fruits, veggies, money, credit cards.
Looking for a doctor’s playset that includes everyday items medical professionals use. This set features a Dog Toy, Carrying Bag, Electronic Stethoscope & Dress Up Costume, in addition to 17 other pieces to help a child check temperature, pulse, ears and more.
This upgraded medical set includes a LED enhanced EKG machine, pulse machine, thermometer, otoscope, and stethoscope! Family members and stuffed toys can receive regular check-ups with a cute mobile station designed with wheels, handles, and storage.
Need help getting your child used to the dentist? Help them prep for your next visit OR become a future dentist using this jam packed kids play set. Medical Kit Set Includes an electronic Stethoscope, a full costume and everything you need to review a patient’s pearly whites.
Help kids grow the confidence they need to negotiate social situations at home, school, and throughout their lives. These exercises help kids build and employ their social skills; especially skills like keeping the discussion ball going, learning to compromise, practicing excellent table manners and more.
Kids learn about mental manipulation by visualizing the differences, movement and changes between shapes, spot patterns, and think about objects in three dimensions. They also play word games to improve problem-solving, memory, cognition, and creativity.
It’s more important than ever to make sure children learn basic life skills that are often neglected in our convenience driven era. Whether it is building autonomy in the kitchen or effectively navigating tough situations with bullies, Life Skills for Kids helps teach habits for a successful future.