A guide to the different stages of play in early childhood
Play is an essential aspect of early childhood development, offering children the opportunity to explore, learn and grow. Through her research, sociologist Mildred Parten identified six stages of play that children typically progress through as they develop their earliest social and cognitive skills. Despite being nearly 100 years old, this model is still commonly referenced today.
These stages, known as the play types in early childhood, provide a framework for understanding how children engage with the world around them and with others as they grow. Understanding these stages can help you choose the right playground equipment to foster child development. By recognising these stages, parents, early educators and teachers can better support children’s developmental play types and foster play-based learning. At Playground Centre, we specialise in designing safe, innovative playgrounds that cater to every stage of play, ensuring that children of all ages have the opportunity to engage in outdoor play that promotes their cognitive, physical and social skills.
Unoccupied Play
What is unoccupied play?
Unoccupied play is the earliest form of play observed in infants. During this stage, children are not engaged in any specific activity but are exploring their environment and movement. They might appear to be aimlessly moving their arms, legs or head, or simply watching what is happening around them. While it may seem like unstructured play, unoccupied play allows infants to begin understanding their relationship with their body and surroundings.
How to encourage unoccupied play
To support unoccupied play, provide infants with a safe space where they can move freely. Lay them on a soft mat or blanket in a stimulating environment, such as near a window with natural light or in a room with colourful objects. Offer sensory toys, like rattles or soft toys, that they can grasp or watch, encouraging them to observe and experiment with their movements.
Solitary Play
What is solitary play?
Solitary play is when a child plays alone, focusing on their activities without seeking interaction with others. This type of play is common in toddlers as they develop the ability to entertain themselves and explore their personal interests. During solitary play, a child might be building with blocks, drawing, or totally engaged with a toy. This stage is great for fostering independence, creativity and concentration.
How to encourage solitary play
To nurture solitary play, create a play environment that is full of toys and materials. Offer activities that match the child’s interests, such as puzzles, art supplies or building blocks. Playground Centre offers customisable playground equipment like individual soft blocks in our Mini Bambino range and interactive play panels, which assist in giving the child uninterrupted time to play on their own. This encourages them to develop problem-solving skills and confidence in their ability to entertain themselves.
Onlooker Play
What is onlooker play?
Onlooker play refers to when a child observes others playing without directly participating. This stage is common in toddlers and preschoolers as they begin to show interest in the activities of others.
They may watch, ask questions or make comments, but they do not join in. Onlooker play is important for social development, as it helps children learn about social interactions, rules and the dynamics of socialising.
How to encourage onlooker play
To encourage onlooker play, allow children to watch older siblings or peers as they play. Include them in social scenarios at parks, sports fields, playgroups, or in the classroom where they can observe different types of play.
Engage the child by asking them what they see or think what they are watching. This can help them feel involved and gradually build their confidence to join in.
Parallel Play
What is parallel play?
Parallel play occurs when children play alongside each other but do not interact directly. Each child is engaged in their individual activity, often with similar toys or materials, but without collaborating or sharing.
This stage is typical in toddlers and younger preschoolers as they start to recognise the presence of others while still focusing on their play. Parallel play aids in early socialising skills, as it introduces children to the concept of playing in the presence of others.
How to encourage parallel play
To foster parallel play, provide children with the same or similar toys and place them near each other in a shared space. Activities like building blocks, painting, or playing with figures work well in this context. Side-by-side playground features like sandboxes, play panels and musical instruments can give children the opportunity to engage in parallel play. Encourage each child to focus on their task but allow them to observe what the other is doing. Gradually, they may begin to mimic or show interest in each other’s activities, paving the way for more interactive play.
Associative Play
What is associative play?
Associative play marks the beginning of more interactive social play. In this stage, children start to interact with each other during play, sharing toys and ideas, and occasionally working together on simple tasks. However, their play is still mostly individual, with each child pursuing their agenda while being loosely connected to others. This stage is common in preschoolers and helps develop communication skills, cooperation, and an understanding of social norms.
How to encourage associative play
To promote associative play, offer activities that naturally lend themselves to group interaction, such as building a large structure with blocks, playing with a shared set of toys, or engaging in simple pretend play scenarios. Playground Centre’s modular play systems allow for shared experiences. Playground equipment like sand and water play components encourage children to talk to each other about what they are doing and to share materials.
Cooperative Play
What is cooperative play?
Cooperative play is the most advanced stage of play, where children fully engage with each other, working towards a common goal or playing a shared game. During cooperative play, children create rules, assign roles, and collaborate to achieve an outcome, such as building a complex structure, acting out a story, or playing a team game. This stage typically emerges in older preschoolers and kindergarteners, signifying a significant leap in social, cognitive and emotional development.
How to encourage cooperative play
To support cooperative play, introduce activities that require teamwork, such as building a fort, playing group sports or games, or engaging in elaborate pretend play scenarios where children must work together to achieve a goal. The Playground Centre themed playground equipment and structures assist children in creating pretend scenarios and storylines together which encourages cooperative play. This type of playground equipment is perfect for schools, community parks and early learning centres.
Encourage open communication and problem-solving within the group, helping children navigate any conflicts that arise. Providing opportunities for children to lead and follow can also enhance their cooperative play experience.
Playground Centre: The play specialists
As playground specialists, the team at Playground Centre understand the importance of every stage of play in early childhood development, which is why we help educators and communities promote active, healthy play at all ages. We have the expertise and experience to help you design and build your perfect play space. Our extensive range of playground equipment includes products designed for toddlers, preschoolers and children of all ages and abilities. Whether you are planning a play space for a community park, school or early learning centre, our team can help you create a safe and stimulating environment that fosters growth and learning at every stage of development. Contact us today – we’d love to help.