Child Development

Semester 1 2014
Dr. Diana-Lea Baranovich
Mildred Partens Classic Study of Play
Vygotsky also believed in the importance of play in a childs development. Play provides
the child with an arena whereby he can learn via uninhibited exploration and discovery.
Furthermore, play is multi-sensorial often including the 6th sense.
Now back to Partens Study
In 1932, Mildren Parten developed an elaborate classification of childrens play.
Based on observations of children in free play at preschools (ages 6 and below) in many
different socio-economic environments, she concluded that children engage in 6
different types of play.
Let Queen Diana observe a child at play for an hour, and shell be able to write a
book about the child. In short, children live out the contents of their psyche through freeplay their joys, troubles, questions, worries, and traumas.
Parten defines play as a pleasurable activity which is engaged in for its own sake by
choice by the child. QDSS adds that this holds true for adolescents and adults as well older
people play however, they play differently. We will discuss as we age through the lifespan.
Vygotsky
Well, all the world is still a classroom and MY MAN is big on PLAY

Partens 6 Different Types of Play

Unoccupied play is not play as it is commonly understood. The child may stand I one spot or
perform random movements that do not seem to have a goal.
Solitary play happens when the child plays alone and independently of others. The child
seems engrossed in the activity and does not care much about anything else that is happening
(2 -3 year olds frequently engage in solitary play).
Onlooker play takes place when the child watches other children pl ay. The child may talk
with other children and ask questions but does not enter into their play behaviour. The childs
active interest in other childrens play differentiates unlooker play from solitary play.
Parallel play occurs when the child plays separately form others but with toys like those to
the other is using or in a manner that mimics their play. This is the only peer play of toddlers
and 2 year olds. However the 1 or 2 year old will engage in one to one play with an older
person with whom he is familiar.

Associative play social interaction and play which has little or no organization. In this type
of play, children seem to be more interested in each other than in the tasks they are
performing. Borrowing or lending toys and following or leading one another in line are
example of associative play - most common play of 4 6 year olds.
Cooperative play consists of social interaction in a group with a sense of group identity
and organized activity. Childrens formal games, competitions aimed at winning, and groups
formed by a teacher for doing things together are examples of cooperative play. Cooperative
play becomes more prevalent during the primary years (6 and over).
Other types of play as defined by other child play research warriors
Sociomotor play involves behaviour engaged in by infants to derive pleasure from
exercising their existing sensorimotor schemas ( a la Piaget).
Practice play is play the involves repetition of behaviour when new skills are being learned
or when physical or mental mastery and coordination of skills are required for games or
sports. Sensorimotor play, which often involves practice play, is primarily confined to
infancy, while practice play can e engaged in throughout the lifespan.
Pretend symbolic play (make believe play) is play that occurs when a child transforms the
physical environment into a symbol. He substitutes objects for other objects. Such as Dr.
Dis mother always talks about how her older brother would use the metal spaghetti strainer
as an army helmet.
Social play involves social interaction with peers.
Constructive play combines sensorimotor/practice and repetitive activity with symbolc
representation of ideas. This type of play occurs when children engage in self-regulated
creation or construction of a product or problem solving.
Games are activities engaged in for pleasure that include rules and often competition with
one or more individuals.
THERE IS MUCH MORE PLAY TO COME LETS JUST BEGIN HERE