Table 15-10 Development of Play

AGE GROUP Infants 1 to 2 years 3 to 5 years TYPE OF PLAY Explore, imitate Parallel play Cooperative play Creative play Symbolic group play; secret clubs Competitive play Group sports and explorative Internet activities, electronic or computer games Fantasy play; cliques SUGGESTED PLAY ACTIVITY Provide visual stimuli for newborns; touch stimuli for infants, and toys involving manipulation for 1-year-olds. Children play next to each other but not with each other. Provide each child with toys that reect activities of daily living. Children play with each other, each taking a specic role: You be the mommy and Ill be the daddy. A simple box can become a train to a 3-year-old. Secret codes, knock-knock jokes, and rhymes are popular at this age. Children at this age start to accept competition with structured rules and highly interactive physical activity. Monitored Internet contact.

5 to 7 years 7 to 10 years 10 to 13 years

13 to 18 years

Leadership activities such as baby-sitting or tutoring are popular. Daydreaming occurs. Board games are popular. Interactive social activities in cliques occur at and after school.