16.7.1: Play
- Page ID
- 225527
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Levels of Play
| Category | Description |
| Unoccupied Play | |
| Solitary Play | |
| Onlooker Play | Children are observing other children playing. They may comment on the activities and even offer suggestions, but they will not participate directly in the play. |
| Parallel Play | |
| Associative Play | |
| Cooperative Play | Children are interacting to achieve a common goal. Children may take on different tasks to reach that goal. |
Emotional Development and Play
Play also serves as a powerful tool for emotional regulation. It allows children to process complex emotions, such as frustration, fear, and excitement, in a safe and constructive way. Through imaginative play, children can explore various emotional states and learn coping strategies that contribute to emotional resilience (Russ, 2004).
For children experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges, play therapy provides a structured environment where they can express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to verbalize. Therapists use play-based interventions to help children process trauma, manage anxiety, and develop healthy emotional responses (Landreth, 2012). Through guided play, children can build self-confidence and develop problem-solving skills that extend beyond the therapy setting.
References, Contributors and Attributions
Dyer, J. L., & Moneta, G. (2006). Play and child development. Pearson.
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Lifespan development - Module 5: Early childhood. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com
Overstreet, L. (n.d.). Psyc 200 lifespan psychology. [CC BY 4.0].
Parten, M. B. (1932). Social participation among preschool children. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 27(3), 243–269. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0074524
Russ, S. W. (2004). Play in child development and psychotherapy: Toward empirically supported practice. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.