Title : Children's play patterns according to age.
Description:
PLAY IS A CHILD’S WORK. PLAY IS IMPORTANT for children’s development and for
children to bond. It offers a chance to connect with your child. You are your child’s first
teacher and much of that teaching happens through play. Play helps your child learn
the rules of your family and what is expected of him or her. As children grow, play
helps them learn how to act in society.Research shows that 75 percent of brain
development occurs after birth. Play helps with that development by stimulating the
brain through the formation of connections between nerve cells. This process helps
with the development of fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are actions such
as being able to hold a crayon or pencil. Gross motor skills are actions such as
jumping or running. Play also helps your child to develop language and socialization
skills. Play allows children to learn to communicate emotions, to think, be creative and
solve problems.Dr. Elkind argues that play is developmentally sequenced, meaning
children move through different types of play as they grow, and each stage supports a
specific kind of learning. These play patterns reflect the child's current cognitive,
emotional, and social development. Here below shows different play patterns of
children according to age.
● Infancy (0–2 years): Sensorimotor Play
The play pattern in this age group includes more explanatory and functional
play.
In this age infants learn through their senses and physical interaction with the
environment.Play involves mouthing objects, banging, shaking, crawling, and
experimenting with cause-and-effect.The purpose of the play is it develops
basic motor skills, object permanence, and trust in the environment.
● Toddlerhood (2–3 years): Symbolic Play Begins
The play patterns in this group includes Imitative and Solitary Play.In this age
children begin to symbolize objects.They mimic adult behaviors (pretend
cooking, cleaning, talking).play is often solitary but shows early signs of
awareness of others.The purpose of the play is it builds language, memory, and
the foundation of pretend play.
● Preschool Age (3–6 years): Dramatic and Associative Play
The play patterns in this group includes Pretend/Dramatic Play, Associative
Play . In this age Children create complex make-believe worlds.They engage
in role-playing (e.g., "playing house", superheroes). They begin playing with
others, though often with loose rules and shifting roles.The purpose of the play
is it Develops empathy, imagination, emotional processing, and early social
negotiation
● Early School Age (6–9 years): Rule-Based and Cooperative Play
The play patterns in this group include Games with Rules, Cooperative Play.
Children now understand rules and structure.Board games, card games, and
team sports become enjoyable.They prefer fairness, turn-taking, and shared
goals.The purpose of this play is it Supports logical thinking, teamwork,
self-regulation, and fairness.
● Older Children & Adolescents (9–12+ years): Competitive and Creative Play
The play patterns in this group includes Strategic, Creative, and
Identity-Oriented Play.lay includes sports, hobbies, and creative expression
(music, art, storytelling). Adolescents explore social identity and deeper
relationships through group activities or digital play.Video games, online
role-play, or creative content creation reflect evolving interests.The purpose of
this play is it Develops self-esteem, identity, and emotional independence.
Play is not just entertainment—it is the foundation of learning and development.
Recognizing and supporting age-appropriate play patterns helps children build the
skills they need for lifelong success, creativity, and well-being.
