Play and its role in development

Question 1

Essential attributes of play

Answer 1

1. Self-chosen and self-directed
2. Intrinsically motivated
3. Guided by mental rules which leave room for creativity
4. Imaginative
5. Carried out in an active, alert, but non-stressed frame of mind

Question 2

What is the object of play?

Answer 2

Sensory experiences (colour, texture, smell, etc.)
–E.g. sensorimotor play, early exploratory play
Body/movement
– E.g. sensorimotor play, body play, locomotor play, exercise
play, rough and tumble play
Physical objects
– E.g object play, mastery play

Question 3

What cognitive processes are involved in play?

Answer 3

Practice/mastery/overlearning of skills
– E.g. practice play, mastery play
The use of symbolic function
– E.g. symbolic/pretend/fantasy/imaginary/make-believe play
Construction – generation of structures
– E.g. constructive play, artistic play, musical play, arts and
crafts

Question 4

What is Functional pretend play

Answer 4

Playful use of real object (or miniature toys) consistent with their function [‘ride’ a toy car, ‘drink’ from a toy cup, ‘cook’ something on a toy cooker (1-2 years+)

Question 5

Directions of play development (Williams, Reddy & Costall, 2001)

Answer 5

Decentration: from self-centred activities to interactions between several (often imaginary) agents
Decontextualization: increasingly symbolic, fewer environmental ‘prompts’ needed
Integration and elaboration: longer and better organised sequences
Socialization: from solitary through parallel and associative towards cooperative

Question 6

What is Free Play and Risky Play?

Answer 6

Gray(2017a, 2017b): free (i.e. self-directed) play as a natural way of learning (including academic learning), developing creativity, social skills and self- efficacy.
– “Play is children’s work”
Risky (adventurous) play as means of developing emotional self-regulation – especially dealing with anxiety (CORE READING: Gray et al., 2023)