List of Four Functions of Play in Childhood Development
The phrase “play is a child’s work” illustrates the importance of play in child development2.Child health workers have identified several critical developmental functions of play. The National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Children explains on its Zero to Three website that a lot of learning occurs while children are playing. Play has at least four critical functions that contribute to the major areas of child development1.
Play Types and Development
When your child plays, he's having fun, but he also is engaging in a complex process of learning and development. The Montana State University Extension office lists 11 types of play, including unoccupied, solitary, onlooker, motor-physical, constructive and fantasy, which occur along a continuum as children grow and develop the skills and capabilities required. For instance, infants are engaged in unoccupied play when they focus on random movements. From ages 3 months to 3 years, children progress through several types of play from watching other children play to playing with other children.Play helps your child move through the developmental milestones along the road to adulthood.
- When your child plays, he's having fun, but he also is engaging in a complex process of learning and development.
- The Montana State University Extension office lists 11 types of play, including unoccupied, solitary, onlooker, motor-physical, constructive and fantasy, which occur along a continuum as children grow and develop the skills and capabilities required.
Cognitive
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Children learn from doing, which gives play a cognitive function. Play develops cognitive skills when children have to think and remember processes and rules. Children develop language skills and learn about the world and how it works. During play, children learn about sizes, shapes, colors and textures. Peek-a-boo teaches infants that unseen objects still exist. Counting games teach numbers. Play encourages children to explore creativity and imagination. As children solve problems during play, they learn to reason and develop their decision-making skills.
- Children learn from doing, which gives play a cognitive function.
- 儿童语言发展技能和了解the world and how it works.
Physical
The physical function of play helps children develop strong muscles, bones and stamina2.Play helps develop the brain as children interact with people and the world around them. Playing with an infant while she is on her stomach helps strengthen her neck muscles. Children learn to crawl, walk, run and jump as they learn to use large muscle groups in gross motor development. Fine motor skills are developed when children pick up toys, hold a crayon, use building blocks and sing songs that teach hand gestures or other movements.Play helps children develop balance, speed and coordination.
- The physical function of play helps children develop strong muscles, bones and stamina 2.
- Fine motor skills are developed when children pick up toys, hold a crayon, use building blocks and sing songs that teach hand gestures or other movements.
Social
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Children develop social skills through play when they learn about taking turns and sharing, rules, negotiation, cooperation and conflict resolution. Your child will learn which behaviors are inappropriate, such as hitting, and how to apologize and make amends. Children need the social skills learned during play to enter the adult world.While playing with others, children begin to develop characteristics such as kindness, empathy and self-control.Children begin to develop morals and to understand more about consequences.
- Children develop social skills through play when they learn about taking turns and sharing, rules, negotiation, cooperation and conflict resolution.
- While playing with others, children begin to develop characteristics such as kindness, empathy and self-control.
Emotional
The emotional function of play in child development begins with parental bonding2.When you play with your child, he learns he is loved, his self-esteem is enhanced and he learns how to build healthy relationships, according to the website Zero to Three1.你的孩子通过玩耍学习成功,但他also learns how to react to disappointment. As he masters his world, he develops new skills, acquires more knowledge and builds his confidence and resiliency. Play gives your child opportunities to develop his self and discover his interests and strengths.
- The emotional function of play in child development begins with parental bonding 2.
- 你的孩子通过玩耍学习成功,但他also learns how to react to disappointment.
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References
- Zero to Three: Behavior and Development -- Play
- Pediatrics: The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds
- ICDL. What is Floortime?
- the Play Project. Welcome to the play project.
- ICDL. Interdisciplinary council on development and learning.
- Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Play time: an examination of play intervention strategies for children with autism spectrum disorders.
- Román-Oyola R, Figueroa-Feliciano V, Torres-Martínez Y, et al. Play, Playfulness, and Self-Efficacy: Parental Experiences with Children on the Autism Spectrum. Occup Ther Int. 2018;2018:4636780. doi:10.1155/2018/4636780
- The Association for Play Therapy. APT directories.
- Hess, Esther. DIR®/Floortime: Evidence Based Practice Towards the Treatment of Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Int J Child Health Hum Dev 2013;6(3):00-00.
- Solomon, Richard. PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Dev Behav Pediatr 35:475–485, 2014.
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Writer Bio
Gail Sessoms, a grant writer and nonprofit consultant, writes about nonprofit, small business and personal finance issues. She volunteers as a court-appointed child advocate, has a background in social services and writes about issues important to families. Sessoms holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies.