The Power
of Play
What do kindergartens today look like
3 hours
Academics Co-curriculars Snack time
2 hours 30 mintutes 15 minutes
Math Art/Dance/Music/
Sports-structured and
teacher-directed
English
Play: A Child’s way of learning!
Defining Play
Three criteria to define play:
Freedom of choice
Personal Enjoyment
Focus is on the activity itself rather than its outcomes
Characteristics of Play
Self-
directed
Individual Open-
or group ended
Characteristics
of Play
Motivating Voluntary
Flexible Enjoyable
Importance of play
Talking Adults
Playing Children
According to a report by the Journal of the
American Pediatrics, “ Play is a right of
every child.”
Stages of Play
Unoccupied Play
• In the early months of a child’s life, from birth to
about 3 months, a child partakes in unoccupied
play.
• This Involves random movements with no clear
purpose, but it has been identified as an initial
and important early stage of play
Solitary Play
• From 3 to 18 months, babies will spend much
of their time playing on their own.
• During solitary play, children may not even
notice other children sitting or playing nearby
and they are exploring their world by watching,
grabbing and rattling objects.
Stages of Play
Onlooker Play
• Onlooker play usually occurs during the toddler years and it is where the
child watches other children play.
• At this stage, children are learning how to relate to others and learning
language. Although children may ask questions of other children, there is
rarely an effort to join the play.
Stages of Play
Parallel Play
• From the age of 18 months to two years, children
begin to play alongside other children without
any interaction.
• This type of play helps them understand the idea
of property rights such as “mine”.
Associative Play
• Around the age of 3, children become more
interested in other children than the toys.
• This type of play helps them learn the do’s and
don’ts of getting along with others.
Stages of Play
Social play
• Children aound the age of 4 are beginning to
socialize more with other children.
• By interacting with other children in play
settings, your child learns social rules such as
give, take and cooperation.
Physical Play
• Physical play offers a chance for children to
exercise and develop muscle strength.
• Simple activities such as running and jumping
and games such as hide and seek and tag are
really important.
Stages of Play
Constructive play
• Constructive play starts in infancy and
becomes more complex as the child grows.
• This type of play starts with the baby putting
things in their mouth to see how they feel
and taste and this becomes more complex
as the child grows.
Expressive Play
• Expressive play allows children to be in
complete control of their actions and
experiences which boosts their confidence.
• Beanbags, pounding benches and rhythm
instruments are great tools to promote
expressive play.
How Child Develop Skills through Play
Learn while playing
Explore materials and discover their properties of material
Use their knowledge of materials to play imaginatively
Express their emotions and reveal their inner feelings
Come to terms with traumatic experiences
Maintain emotional balance, physical and mental health,
and well-being
Learn while playing
Develop a sense of who they are, their value and that of
others
Learn social skills of sharing, turn-taking, deal with
conflict and negotiation
Connect and refine pathways in his/her brain
Solve problems and develop communication skills
Repeat patterns that reflect their prevailing interests
and concerns
Types of play
Dramatic/ Pretend play Manipulative /Cognitive Play
Types of play
Physical Play Creative Play
Types of play
Passive Play
Play and Technology
Smart Toys
Teach new skills
Make learning fun
Child is engaged rather than
passively watching
Teacher’s Role
Sensitivity and relationship
Observation (interests, choices, play partners, persistence,
patterns, social and linguistic skills)
Interaction
Materials and Environment
