Last week we discussed the five types of play necessary to support your children’s physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth and well-being. Here we explain the five common stages of play so that you can better understand your child’s play development and how best to support them through play.

The Five Common Stages of Play:

1. Watching – A child watches what others are doing but does not join in, they are purely an onlooker.
2. Solitary Play – They play on their own without regard, or need for others, and enjoy independent activities that do not require others to participate.
3. Parallel Play– This is when they play near others but do not interact with them, even if they are using the same play materials.
4. Associative Play – When children play in small groups with no defined rules or assigned roles.
5. Co-operative Play – Is when children work together in building projects, or pretend play, assigning roles for each member of the group.

Children are all so different and because of this the length of time they spend at each stage varies greatly; but they all find their way in time.

You are your child’s first, and most important, playmate. They just love it when you are silly and play games with them; become a pilot, rally car diver or fairy princess for 10 minutes. Can’t remember how? Then let your child show you!