Types of Play
This type of play involves children playing alone but still exploring and learning.
What is solitary play?
This theorist, known as the “father of kindergarten,” believed that play is essential for children to express their inner thoughts and connect with nature.
Who is Friedrich Froebel?
When children pretend to have superpowers like flying or super strength, they are using this key developmental skill.
What is imagination (or imaginative thinking)?
Weather, space, and available materials are examples of this type of influence on children’s play.
What are environmental influences?
A safe play space must include these items to prevent injuries.
What are soft-fall surfaces or safety padding?
In this stage, children play side-by-side without interacting.
What is parallel play?
This theorist created open-air nurseries and believed children learn best through health, outdoor play, and rich sensory experiences.
Who is Margaret McMillan?
Dressing up as a superhero helps children develop this imaginative type of play.
What is dramatic/pretend play?
Family culture, beliefs, and traditions influence the types of play children engage in and are known as this.
What are cultural influences?
A play environment that encourages creativity should include these open-ended materials.
What are loose parts (e.g., sticks, boxes, fabric)?
This type of play shows children beginning to play together without fully cooperating.
What is associative play?
This theorist, founder of Waldorf education, emphasized imaginative play, creativity, and a rhythm-filled daily routine.
Who is Rudolf Steiner?
When children negotiate roles such as “You be the villain and I’ll be the hero,” they are developing this social skill.
What is cooperative play (or negotiation skills)?
When adults provide time, resources, and encouragement for play, they are shaping play through this type of influence.
What is adult or caregiver influence?
This type of environment often including sand and water.
What is an exploratory or sensory-rich environment?
This is the most advanced form of social play, where children share goals and rules.
What is cooperative play?
This theorist believed children learn through independence, self-directed activity, and hands-on materials designed for purposeful play.
Who is Maria Montessori?
Educators sometimes worry about superhero play because it can lead to this behaviour if not guided.
What is aggressive or unsafe behaviour?
Access to digital devices, TV shows, and online games influences children’s play through this modern factor.
What is technology/media influence?
Ensuring all children can access materials regardless of ability refers to this practice.
What is inclusive environment?
This type of play the most common in the early years; it focuses on exploring and learning through senses.
What is practice/functional play?
This theorist believed children learn through firsthand experiences and encouraged teachers to observe play to understand children's thinking.
Who is Susan Isaacs?
Research suggests that with teacher guidance, superhero play can support this complex developmental skill, where children try out moral ideas such as fairness and justice.
What is understanding right and wrong?
Poverty, parental employment, community resources, and access to safe outdoor spaces are examples of these larger social influences on play.
What are socio-economic influences?
The layout of a play room that encourages independence follows this educational philosophy.
What is the Montessori approach?