EDUCATION
By Daseta Gray, MA. Certified Infant/Toddler specialist
Play is very important during the preschool years, when the architecture of the brain is being built. Children have been playing since time began; however, today, researchers study children’s play by observing and recording what is happening during this critical process and how play changes with developmental stages. Children learn many social skills during play. Children also reflect their social mirror, and the ways of society when they play. They learn cooperation, negotiation, leadership, taking instructions, waiting their turn and many others. There are many benefits of play it helps children develop cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Play is children’s work. In this article, we will share information about some stages of play and the long-term benefits of play.
In 1929, researcher Mildred Parten studied the ways children played and from her observations she identified the 6 stages of play: Unoccupied Play, Solitary Play, Onlooker Play, Parallel Play, Associative Play and Cooperative Play
These are play stages that children experience during the first 2000 days of a child’s life and they occur in a bottom to top developmental pattern.
Stages of Play
UNOCCUPIED PLAY (0-31/2 months):
Unoccupied playThis type of play occurs during the early stages of development during the first few months of life. It centers around the senses, is unfocused and lacks a story.
During this stage, play consists of a child picking up, shaking, then discarding objects in their vicinity. Infants also like to drop items and watch adults pick them up. During this stage there is no language being used and the infant is unable to maintain focus.
Looking at this stage of play briefly may seem unimportant but serves an important developmental purpose. During this early stage of life, play helps infants to orient themselves in the world. They are learning to control their limbs and motor skills by developing the cerebellum. They develop depth perception, and make discoveries with their tactile nature.
SOLITARY PLAY (3 months – 2 ½ years)
Solitary Play is the next stage in the development of play. During this stage children play alone and with little interest in items outside of their immediate environment. Here children are focused and able to sustain their concentration for some time.
PARALLEL PLAY (2+ years)
During this stage children begin to play side-by-side but not with each other. It may seem that they have no interaction, however they are looking at what the other child is working on and they may also copy one another. At this stage of play toddlers begin to develop the desire to be with other children.
ASSOCIATIVE PLAY (3-4 years)
Children at this stage start playing with other children. They begin to ask questions and talk about the toys and the role they are playing. This is the beginning of understanding how to socialize with others.
During this stage of play children begin to create play stories. For example, children might begin to engage in symbolic play (using objects to represent other objects, such as a stone to represent a cookie) to support the narratives they create, while playing with others.
COOPERATIVE PLAY (4-5 yrs):
During this stage of play children begin to cooperate with each other as they play. Children begin to incorporate aspects of their social mirror, their culture, society and daily interactions, by creating rules for their play.
Play is the root of socialization and serves as a way to learn and practice socially acceptable behaviors in the society that the child resides. During play, children are learning many skills that they will need throughout their lifetime. Here are just a few of the skills that they learn: leadership, taking directives, learning to work in a group, passive / active listening, conflict resolution, communication, sharing, delayed gratification and many more. In these critical years when the architecture of the brain is being developed it is important for caregivers to be well trained on brain development because having this information will allow them to understand that they must be facilitators. Caregivers can be intentional when empowered with knowledge, because they will understand that play is the work of young children. Caregivers should provide a variety of items for children to play with in an environment that will allow children to experience the stages of play and develop these important social, emotional, and cognitive skills that are needed for life.
According to John Hamilton, “When it comes to brain development, time in the classroom may be less important than time on the playground”.
“The experience of play changes the connections of the neurons at the front end of your brain [prefrontal cortex],” says Sergio Pellis, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, “And without play experience, those neurons aren’t changed.”
The changes in this section of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, during childhood are important because they help develop the brain’s executive center, which plays a critical role in regulating emotions, making plans, and solving problems. According to John Hamilton, “play helps to build the architecture of the brain for life, love and the school years.”
For example when children are playing in the kitchen area they are using several skills such as negotiating, leadership, planning and language. As they play, the brain is building new connections in the prefrontal cortex to help with these complex social interactions (Hamilton 2014).
Now that we have explored some of the ways play encourages a child’s brain development in their early years, here are some benefits of play for children based on my observation.
Benefits of Play for Children, Play helps Children…
- Build relationships with their peers.
- Learn how to share
- Develop agency
- Develop comprehension skills
- Learn self-regulation
- Develop leadership skills
- Develop empathy
- Practice math skills
- Work in a community
- Have patience
(source D.Gray)
Benefits of play for adults
Stress Relief: Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Improved Brain Function: Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.
Mental Stimulation and Creativity Boost: Young children often learn best when they are playing—a principle that applies to adults, as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and solve problems.
Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. Play doesn’t have to include a specific activity; it can also be a state of mind. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.(Source – HelpGuide.org)
According to the National Association for The Education of Young Children, in order for play to be meaningful, it should have these elements:
- Children should make their own decisions
- Children are intrinsically motivated
- Children become immersed in the moment
In true play, children are so fully engaged that they lose track of time. Play is spontaneous, not scripted. Often, play is totally unplanned. Other times, play is planned but led by the children.
Play is the root of socialization, and a great tool for building the architecture of the brain during the first five years. Children need to begin developing their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills before entering kindergarten and being equipped with these skills will help them to be successful during their academic years. Children learn through play.
Play is essential to the academic environment. A positive play experience allows children to have positive experiences during their academic years because they begin school with the foundational social, emotional, and cognitive skills. I am encouraging caregivers of young children to facilitate the stages of play for young children to build a solid brain.
Experience is the key ingredient in building a brain therefore children must be provided with the rich experiences in order for them to build a strong architecture. Caregivers — can I charge you with seeking quality toys and books, and an inviting environment for your baby? Let’s take every opportunity we can to continue building Africa’s young brains into the critical thinkers and leaders of the future.
References
https://helpfulprofessor.com/stages-of-play
Five essentials to meaningful play
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/five-essentials-meaningful-play
The Benefits of Play for Adults – HelpGuide.org
Scientists Say Child’s Play Helps Build A Better Brain : NPR Ed : NPR
By John Hamilton August 6, 2014
Parten’s 6 Stages Of Play In Childhood,
By Chris Drew, PhD / January 2, 2020
6 Stages of Play and Why They are Important for your child’s development – Happy Dots
The Importance of Play for Development | Free Resources (pathways.org)
https://www.bing.com/search?q=the+importance+of+play&cvid=
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm