However, older children will continue to have times when they will enjoy playing alone.
Parallel play –
By the time children reach the age of TWO years old, they will begin to enjoy parallel play. This is where they play alongside and next to other children but not play with them.
Looking - on play –
Looking – on play occurs from about THREE years old. It is when the children will be happy to watch other children while they play and may copy them. At this stage they are often ready for nursery or playgroup.
Cooperative play –
This also happens at around THREE years old and means that children will be happy to play together, share activities and take on roles. However, arguments will commonly occur.
Physical Play
The word physical means moving, so it includes children using their whole bodies and making movement with their large muscles. It is usually very active and involves running around, allowing children to let off steam and use up energy. It is usually done outdoors as there are less restrictions and more room to move about safely.
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Physical –
Helps to develop:
X Fine and Gross motor skills
X Hand-eye coordination
X Balance and coordination
X Strong bones and muscles
X The senses, especially vision, hearing, touch, smell.
Intellectual: Concepts -
Helps to develop concepts such as –
X Size
X Speed
X Spatial awareness
X Understanding cause and effect
Intellectual: language –
Children will –
X Learn new words
X Increase their vocabulary
Emotional –
Helps child to:
X “Let off steam”
X Release tension and stress
X Build confidence and self-esteem
X Become adventurous
Social –
Playing with other children encourages:
X Taking turns
X Sharing and cooperation
X Negotiating about roles, space, and equipment
X Respect for other people’s ideas and feelings
X Solving problems together
X Making friends
Types of activities may include –
X PLAYING TEAM GAMES SUCH AS FOOTBALL
X HOPSCOTCH, SKIPPING
X PLAYING ON SLIDES, SWINGS, CLIMBING FRAMES
X RIDING BYCYCLES, TRICYCLES
X ROLLERBLADING
X TRAMPOLINING
X SWIMMING
Creative Play
Creative play takes place when children use different materials to make something through ideas and imagination of their own.
It allows them to explore and experiment, and to use their senses to find out what can and can’t be done.
The end result may not be recognisable and they may not want to keep it, but they still need the praise, should never be ‘made fun of’.
Physical –
X Using crayons, pens, brushes, scissors and so on can help to develop fine motor skills, hand – eye coordination and handling and control
X Painting at an easel or doing foot/hand prints can help gross motor skills
X Creative activities help to develop sensory skills, especially sight and touch.
Social –
Children will learn to:
X Share
X Cooperate and take turns
Emotional –
X All these types of activities allow children to experience both positive and negative emotions, e.g. pride, excitement, frustration and happiness
X They can increase children’s confidence and self-esteem
X They allow children to make choices
X Children can express feelings without using words
X Prevents boredom
X Gets rid of tension – helps children ‘let off steam’
Intellectual: Concepts
X Using colour, textures, shape and space will help to develop creativity
X creative activities such as painting, making collages and modelling will help develop the imagination
X All of these activities can help to develop concentration and memory
X Painting and making models will help to develop problem-solving skills.
X Helps children learn about different materials and properties
X Helps to develop an understanding of different concepts
Intellectual: Language
X Children will enjoy talking about what they have made
X They will learn new words
X They will be encouraged to ask questions, listen and follow instructions
