In the 1930s, researcher Mildred Parten defined play six stages which mirror children's social growth. Unlike Jean Piaget who watched children's drama in largely intellectual or cognitive terms, Parten emphasized the concept that learning how to play is learning how to relate to other people. As children grow and develop, play evolves. Particular varieties of play are related to specific age groups, even though all types of play happen at almost any age. Play is the way children interact and explore the world, and several types of play are required to completely engage a child's social, physical, and intellectual improvement.

Parten's Social Stages of Play


1. Unoccupied play
Generally found from birth to approximately three months, infants occupied themselves with play. Infants seem to make arbitrary movements with no obvious purpose, and might seem to only be observing, but this is the initial form of enjoying.
2. Solitary play
From three to 18 months, children will spend a lot of their time playing on their own. During solitary play, children don't appear to notice other kids sitting or playing nearby. They are exploring their own world by watching, grabbing and touching objects. They could often become deeply immersed in the activity,"tuning out" the entire world around them. However, it's important for all age groups to have time for alone play.
3. Onlooker play
Onlooker play happens most frequently throughout the toddler years. A kid watches other children play and acquires new language skills through listening and observation, while learning how to relate to others. Although children may ask questions of other children or make comments, there is no attempt to join the drama. This type of play generally starts during toddler years but may occur at any age.
4. Parallel play
By age 18 months to two decades, children begin to play along with other children, often mimicking thembut without any interaction. It also helps kids get the understanding of this notion of real estate ownership, including the concept of what's"theirs" and that which belongs to"others"
Additionally, this is when they begin to show their need to be with other kids their own age. Parallel play is usually found with toddlers, though it happens in any age group.
5. Associative play
When kids are around three to four years old, they become more interested in other kids than their own toys. Kids start interacting with other kids. Associative play is when the kid is interested in the folks playing but not in coordinating their activities with those people, or perhaps necessarily organizing their activities at all. Associative play helps children further develop the art of sharing, language creation, problem-solving skills and cooperation. During associative drama, children within the team have similar objectives. But, they don't set rules and there's not any formal association.
6. Social/cooperative play
Children around the age of three are starting to interact with other kids. They are interested in the children around them, and in the actions they're doing. By interacting with other children in play preferences, a child learns social rules like give-and-take and cooperation. Children begin to share toys and ideas, and follow established guidelines and rules. They start to learn to use moral reasoning to develop a sense of values. Tasks are coordinated and participants have delegated roles. Group identities might emerge, as with make-believe games.
Beyond Parten's Stages, play can also be described by these additional categories or kinds of activities kids can participate in during play.
7.
When children run, jump, and play games like hide-and-seek and tag, they are engaging in physical play. Physical play offers a chance for children to develop muscular strength, coordination, and exercise and develop their own bodies while keeping healthy weight. Children also learn how to take turns and accept winning or losing.
8. Constructive Play
In this type of play, kids construct and make things. Constructive play starts in infancy and becomes even more complicated as your child develops. As a toddler, children start building things with blocks or stacking toys, drawing or piling loose components like wood or pinecones around the park. During constructive play, children explore objects, find patterns, and problem solve, to find exactly what works and what doesn't. They gain confidence manipulating objects, and practice creating ideas and working with numbers and theories.
9. Expressive Play
Children learn to express feelings and emotions during expressive play. Art, music, and writing help children develop imagination and symbolic communication through play.
10.
Kids learn how to produce and envision beyond their entire world through fantasy play. Kids can re-enact situations, experiment with languages, and learn how to express emotions during fantasy play. They're also able to work out psychological issues by projecting them on a fantasy situation.
11. Aggressive Play
Competitive play begins from the late preschool period. The play is organized by group goals and established rules. There's at least one chief, and children are definitely in or out of the group.
Kids are moving from a self-centered world to an awareness of the importance of social interactions and rules. Games with principles teach kids the notion that life has rules that everyone must follow.
12. Virtual / Digital Play
When children play digital video games or computer-based learning applications, they are engaging in a kind of solitary play. There is no social interaction or effects. If excessive, virtual play frequently negatively impacts a child's executive function and social skills, including eye contact and attention span.
It's necessary to allow children to take part in all of these styles of play due to their overall emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Many of these types of play will start in the house, but some forms can only begin in pre-schools, rehab centers, or out in public parks and on the playground. Ensure your child's well-being by noting which types of play have to be introduced at home, and offer them the opportunity to grow by visiting your local park or indoor playground equipment.