Play
Spntaneous, voluntary activity, not done for a goal
Development of play
Play with caregivers and cultural differences
3 types:
- object explor
- functional play
- pretend play
Object exp:
Earliest form of play
In infancy:
- Mouthing things
- reaching graspin
Then with refined motor control: - Finger and scan objects with hands
Play evolves with independent sitting: - Transfer objects with hands and rotate them more often than children who can’t sit independently
- If can’t, need to use an arm to stabilize
Functional play:
Exploring how objects work and fit together
Toys:
- Shape hole toy e.g.
Typically emerges around 8 to 9 months
Allows infants to develop an appreciation of the function of every day objects
And their use as tools
Pretend play
Emerges around age 1 or 2
Some argue linked to dev. of symbolic thinking
- Stick as a sword
- Imaginary shield
- Imaginary friend, talking with teddy bear
Ages 3-5 the peak of pretend play
Object sub:
- One obj for another. Banana -> Phone, etc.
Imaginary companions:
Part 2
Caregivers:
- Introduce scaffolding
- Help during play (roles, rules, etc.)
Solo play vs Joint play:
- infants more attentive in joint play than solo play
- Caregivers support infants by supporting their attachment to certain objects
- Caregiver roles also changes as infant ages
Play across cultures
- Showed differences in how they engaged with pretend play
- White - more likely to engage in pretend object play and shared pretend play
- Also were encouraged to engage in fantasy more
- (compared to mexicans)
- White - more likely to engage in pretend object play and shared pretend play
Imaginary Companions:
- Personified objects
- Invisible friends
Personified objects far more common than invisible friends (in Japan) - Western parents view invisible friends as neutral
- Japanese parents try to quash invisible friend reports
Take home
Definition and Importance of Play
- Play is a spontaneous, voluntary activity essential for child development
Developmental Progression - Play changes as children’s abilities mature
Role of Caregivers - Caregivers significantly influence how children play with scaffolding
Cultural Influences - Cultural factors shape how children play and their caregivers’ involvement