Physical play – This is when a child is doing active movements using their whole body. Things that involve physical play are running, jumping, climbing, crawling, balancing, swinging, throwing a ball, riding a bike, swimming and playing football. Many skills are gained from doing physical play like social development, language skills, coordination, balance and fine / gross motor skills
Creative play – this is when a child expresses their own ideas and use their imagination to do something original using materials, music or dance. For example a picture, an object out of play dough, a house out of building blocks etc. A younger could use creative play in painting and drawing an older child could use it in writing a story, poem or a play. Creative play helps children express their feelings and communicate their ideas which help in their emotional development, hand-eye coordination and sensory skills are also developed. If creative play is done with other children social skill are developed.
Imaginative play – which is also known as pretend or fantasy play. This is when children pretend that they are something or someone else. It often involves dressing up. Examples of imaginative play are things like using a sheet to make a house, a row of pillows to make a car, playing shopping, mums and dads or schools. Imaginative play develops confidence and if done with another child social skills are also developed.
Manipulative play – Uses the skills of a child’s hand, eyes and their brain these are all being trained to work together while playing. Manipulative play is mainly done by younger children doing things like using a rattle, jigsaw, building Duplo, Lego / brick and sand or water. Manipulative play encourages physical and intellectual development.
Social play – This is when two or more children play together. They learn to cooperate, share and to be honest, it also teaches them how anti-social behaviour like cheating is unacceptable and that they will be punished for doing it.
Conclusion –
From the information I found I now know that children like variety and throughout the day children can change from on type of play to another. They can use the same or different toys. But the toys that a child uses normally change as changes stimulate different types of play. More than one type of play can also be used at any one time e.g. a baby using its rattle is using discovery and manipulative play.
