children's play Flashcards
(27 cards)
Does play occur only in childhood?
No, play occurs across the lifespan.
What are some types of play observed in childhood?
Object play, functional play, physical play, pretend play, playground games, educational games, construction play, rough-and-tumble play, games with rules, sociodramatic play, and board games.
What are universal characteristics of play?
Spontaneous
Autonomous
Means over ends
Joyful
Why is a clear definition of play important?
It helps guide research, intervention, and educational practice consistently.
What is unoccupied behavior in play?
Sensory activity lacking focus or narrative, often in infancy.
What is solitary play and when does it occur?
Focused, individual play; typically between 3 months and 2.5 years.
What is onlooker play?
Observing other children play without participating (2.5–3.5 years).
What is parallel play?
Playing side-by-side without interaction (3.5+ years).
What is associative play?
Side-by-side play involving resource sharing and mimicry, but with separate goals (4+ years).
What is cooperative play?
Shared play with common goals and collaboration (4.5+ years).
What are key considerations about Parten’s play types?
They vary in cognitive complexity but aren’t strictly sequential
Types may occur together in a session
Children show individual preferences
Content shifts aren’t addressed
How does Autism Spectrum Condition affect play?
Social play may be difficult
“Inappropriate” play can be a marker
Focus often on objects, not peers
Play may be below cognitive/age level
Mismatched styles inhibit sustained play
How does play in children with Down Syndrome compare to neurotypical children?
Similar content and sequence
More repetitive schemes
Strong sociability
Less manual and exploratory play
In which animals is play observed?
Mammals, some birds, and reptiles.
What is the relationship between brain size and play?
Larger brain size is positively correlated with more complex play.
When is play most common in the lifespan?
During early life, when most brain development occurs.
What did Pellis, Pellis & Bell (2010) find about rats deprived of play?
They had poorer social skills as adults.
What is the traditional view of play?
A diversion, a way to let off steam, or something mindless.
What did Bruner (1972) suggest about play?
Play supports the development of inventive and flexible thinking due to an extended childhood.
What are the 4 proposed relationships between play and development?
Critical – Play is necessary
Equifinal – Other factors can also support development
Epiphenomenal – Play is related but not causal
Pretend Play – Specifically examined
What is pretend play also called?
Make-believe, socio-dramatic, symbolic, or fantasy play.
When does pretend play typically emerge?
During the 2nd year of life.
What are examples of pretend play behaviors?
Using objects symbolically (banana = phone)
Attributing emotions or actions to dolls
Referring to invisible objects (“Hide from the monster!”)
When is pretend play most frequent?
During preschool years
