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2.4: Types of Play

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    246553

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    Mildred Parten (1932) observed children aged two to five years old and identified six types of play. She labeled three types as non-social (unoccupied, solitary, and onlooker), and the other three were categorized as social play (parallel, associative, and cooperative). The table below describes each type of play. Younger children engage in non-social play more than those older; by age five, associative and cooperative play are the most common forms of play (Dyer & Moneta, 2006). [1]

    Table 2.2: Parten’s Classification of Types of Play[2]

    Category

    Description

    Unoccupied Play

    Children’s behavior seems more random and without a specific goal. This is the least common form of play.

    Solitary Play

    Children play by themselves, do not interact with others, nor do they engage in similar activities as the children around them.

    Onlooker Play

    Children are observing other children playing. They may comment on the activities and even make suggestions, but they won't directly join in the play.

    Parallel Play

    Children play alongside each other, using similar toys, but they do not directly interact with one another.

    Associative Play

    Children will interact with each other and share toys, but they are not working toward a common goal.

    Cooperative Play

    Children are interacting to achieve a common goal. Children may take on different tasks to reach that goal.


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