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Posted: February 8th, 2024
Stages of Play (Parten)
Stages of Play (Parten)
Play is an essential part of children’s development. It helps them learn about themselves, others and the world around them. Play also fosters creativity, imagination, social skills and problem-solving abilities. But how do children play? What are the different types of play that children engage in at different ages?
Mildred Parten, a sociologist and researcher at the University of Minnesota, studied the play behavior of preschool children in the late 1920s. She observed how children interacted with each other and with their environment during free play, and identified six stages of play that children go through from birth to about five years old. These stages are:
– **Unoccupied play**: This is the earliest stage of play, when infants explore their surroundings with their senses and movements. They may watch anything that catches their attention, or play with their own body parts. They do not have a clear focus or goal, and they do not interact with others.
– **Solitary play**: This is when children play alone, with toys or objects that interest them. They do not seek or need the involvement of others, and they may ignore or avoid them. They develop their own play narratives, such as pretending that a block is a car or a doll is a baby. They also practice their motor, cognitive and language skills.
– **Onlooker play**: This is when children observe other children playing, but do not join in. They may comment on what they see, ask questions or make suggestions, but they remain on the sidelines. They may be interested in the activity or the people, but they are not ready or willing to participate.
– **Parallel play**: This is when children play near each other, with similar toys or materials, but do not interact with each other. They may copy each other’s actions or words, but they do not share or cooperate. They are aware of each other’s presence, but they focus on their own activity.
– **Associative play**: This is when children start to interact more with each other, while still pursuing their own interests. They may share toys or materials, exchange ideas or information, or follow each other’s lead. They do not have a common goal or plan, and they may switch roles or activities frequently.
– **Cooperative play**: This is when children work together toward a common goal or outcome. They may assign roles, follow rules, negotiate problems or make decisions. They cooperate to create something, solve something, or play a game. They also develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, compromise and empathy.
Parten’s stages of play are not fixed or rigid; they are fluid and overlapping. Children may move back and forth between different stages depending on their age, mood, personality, environment and peers. However, Parten’s theory provides a useful framework for understanding how children’s play evolves over time and how it reflects their social development.
References:
– Parten M.B., Social participation among pre-school children (1932). Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 27(3): 243-269.
– Drew C., Parten’s 6 Stages of Play in Childhood (2024). Helpful Professor website: https://helpfulprofessor.com/stages-of-play/
– Thomas R., Mildred Parten and her Six Stages of Play (2023). Community Playthings website: https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/mildred-parten-and-her-six-stages-of-play