Part 4
Many sociologists, psychologists, scientists and researchers have studied children and present different views on the groupings of stages that children go through in social play. Mildred Parten is well known for her six stages covering ages birth to 5 years. Let’s take a closer look at her developmental stages.
Parten’s Developmental Stages
Mildred Parten, an American sociologist and researcher distinguished six categories of play in 1932. She emphasized that each child moves through these stages at their own pace. The first two stages do address a child’s first year. However, it’s important to present all six stages, showing the start of playful learning and its progression. There are other researchers who have developed a set of stages, and labels or have grouped them differently. Currently, Parten’s stages still hold up in the field of child development and are used universally to describe social play.
NOTE: Researchers have shared that children may move within the six stages or even combine different aspects of Parten’s developmental stages of play. Others report that her theory is too simple, and play is really more complex. These concerns do ring true; however, the overall framework is still utilized.
Six developmental stages of play-based learning-Parten
1 Unoccupied play (birth to 3 months) – baby makes random movements—with arms, legs, hands, feet—learning how the body works OR explores materials around them in an unorganized way.
2 Solitary play (3 months-2 years) – baby/toddler content playing by themselves, independently discovering how things work, uninterested in playing with other children.
3 Onlooker play (2-3 years) – watches other children and doesn’t engage in play with them, may talk to them, observing social interactions.
4 Parallel Play (2-3+ years years) – toddler may play next to another child but not with them yet, may imitate behaviors seen.
5 Associate Play (3-4 years) – child begins interacting with other children, learning cooperative skills when playing with other children.
6 Cooperative Play (4 years and up) – child interested in playing with others, gaining advanced skills of playing with others: group goals & following rules. Always keep in mind that a child is an individual moving at their own pace.
UNOCCUPIED PLAY – “What’s my world all about?”– Everything is NEW!”
(birth to 3 months age span) The baby is observing what is happening in their surroundings, watching their parents interact with them. Sensory experiences are key, beginning at birth. Touching, cuddling, whispering, kissing, and holding of the baby all are the number one wants and needs at this early age. The knowing of someone providing care and love for them is critical for their developmental growth.
The baby will be still and then start slowly showing signs of movement. Their arms, legs, hands and feet are randomly activated. They are learning all about the workings of their body parts.
Tummy time – The newborn is ready to begin tummy time very early in their life. Slow and easy is the way to go, starting with only a few minutes at a time. Babies around the age of 2 months may now have increased their tummy time up to 15-30 minutes. All this activity helps to build their large muscles and ready them for crawling. Just like an athlete in training, there will need to be a spotter/coach near by and focused on the baby the whole time. One way to add excitement to tummy time is to place toys slightly out of their reach. They now have a goal to obtain — clap, cheer and praise their success in getting that toy. Yay!
Mobiles – Perfect time for adding mobiles over the crib? Yes, but—- always select wisely. Mobiles stimulate the brain visually, but too much activity or dangly items may over excite the baby and prevent an easy sleep time. The height factor must be considered since as the baby ages they become capable of grabbing at it. (4-5 months.). At that time remove it for their safety or put it far out of reach.
SOLITARY PLAY – (spans 3 months-2 years) “I am discovering me!”
Focus age span 3-6 months
The baby enjoys playing alone with various toys and their own body. Grabbing and holding is of utmost importance so bring out the rattles, and other shaker type toys. Variety is the spice of life and babies love to be introduced to new playthings with different textures and colors. Their fine motor skills are developing during this “shake, rattle and roll” learning period. The length of these playful learning times will be determined by the age of the baby and interest. Small focused doses can occur throughout the day.
Here are some sensory delights for the playful learner — brain boosters:
*Push and pull wheelie toys (fine-motor skills)
*Mirror play (sight, self-awareness)
*Toys with noise or music (auditory sense)
*Soft blocks or books or balls (touch, fine-motor)
*Building blocks (large & small muscle)
*Outdoor excursions are explosive (all 5+ senses working)
Don’t forget that- it’s “the taste test time” — into the mouth it goes! Baby mouthing or mouth feel is a natural way for them to activate their senses and is part of playful learning. (A safety check on all toys/items is needed on a regular basis.)
Note: Teething starts usually during this time span, gums are getting ready for the two lower front teeth. This may increase their want for soft soothing items to go on their gums—which is different from taste testing.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at ways to blend theories, stages and types of play together. More PLAY Time activities for the baby during their first year. All are brain boosters for the playful learner, yay!
Happy days to you,
Kylene
“The truth is that play seems to be one of the most advanced methods nature has invented to allow a complex brain to create itself.”
Stuart Brown, Author
American Academy of Pediatrics, (2018), Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play, Healthy Children, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Back-to-Sleep-Tummy-to-Play.aspx
Raising Children, Thinking and play: newborns, raisingchildren.net.au, https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/play-learning/play-ideas/thinking-play-newborns
Rymanowicz, Kyle, (2015), The power of play – Part 1: Stages of Play, Michigan State University, MSU Extension, https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_power_of_play_part_1_stages_of_play
