Six Stages of Play

Unoccupied Play

1. 0-3 months

   1. Babies move their arms and legs with no purpose. They are learning to move and it is the beginning of play.

   2. Babies are observing their world.

Solitary Play

1.  0-2 years

   1. Children often play alone and appear to be uninterested in what others are doing.

   2. This is important because it teaches children how to entertain themselves.

Onlooker Play 

1. 2 years 

   1. Children observe others play but do not join the play. They will often use language to find out more about the play.

   2. This is a common form of play at 2 years but can take place at any time.

Parallel Play 

1. 2-3 years

   1. Children play next to each other but with very little involvement with each other. They may have similar toys and copy each other.

   2. Social skills are being learnt by observation.

Associative Play 

1. 2-3 years 

   1. Children are more interested in playing with others than with toys.

   2. They may talk and engage with one another.

   3. They may trade toys.

   4. There are no rules.

   5. This kind of play develops problem solving/cooperation.

Cooperative Play 

1.  4-6 years 

   1. Children are interested in both the people and the activity.

   2. Groups are more formalized with a leader.

   3. Children may be assigned different roles.

   4. The play is organized around specific tasks and to accomplish goals developed by the group.

   5. This kind of play brings together skills from all other stages.

   6. Necessary for social and group interaction.

   7. After 6, most play is divided in male/female groups.
      
      

Purposeful play is valuable and missional.