Introduction and Stages of Play

Question 1

What does social development involve??

Answer 1

Learning how to interact socially with other individuals.

It provides opportunities and skills to enable people to develop relationships.

Question 2

Piaget’s theory of stages of play:

Answer 2

Children learn basic social skills through play.

Question 3

The stages of play:
Solo play??
(0-18 months)

Answer 3

Explore the environment at their own pace.
Helps infants to focus their attention, become self-reliant, learn by making mistakes, and increase their self-esteem.
Begin to notice other children.

Question 4

The stages of play:
Parallel play??
(18months - 2 years)

Answer 4

Play alongside other children.
Little interaction.
Interest in what other children are doing and still like to be in the presence of adults and children.

Question 5

The stages of play:
Associative play??
(3-4 years)

Answer 5

Plays co-operatively with other children.
Start to show reasoning skills by asking questions.
Pretend and fantasy games negotiating and taking on roles.

Question 6

The stages of play:
Cooperative play??
(4-8 years)

Answer 6

Simple rules and taking turns in games.
Do not cope well with losing.
By seven they have important friendships.

Question 7

What are the social benefits of friendships??

Answer 7

Friends can help individuals cope with traumatic life events.
Support an individual to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Help an individual avoid loneliness, provide a sense of belonging, a sense of self worth and self confidence.
This can lead to a boost in happiness.

Question 8

What are the effects of peer pressure on social development??

Answer 8

During adolescence individuals gain more freedom.
Peer groups have a great influence on and individuals values, views and opinions.
Peer pressure can be challenging for teenagers and their families for example encouraging risky behaviours.