How do children learn to play?

Decades of research have suggested that free play and guided play, collectively known as playful learning, are effective pedagogical tools for children to learn in joyful and conceptually rich ways (2). Play-based learning, structured/unstructured play, and purposeful play are practices and beliefs widely adopted and encouraged in educational settings and families with children of all ages and developmental milestones.

How does play look like to you?

As adults, we may have different interpretations of play. However, it is essential to identify and understand the play experiences of children at different stages of development, from infants to teenagers.

Why is Play Important?

Two pioneering psychologists, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, emphasised the significance of play in children's growth and learning. Piaget's cognitive development approach highlights the importance of stimulating play environments that allow children to follow their own interests, experiment, and explore, thereby constructing knowledge (4). Vygotsky believed that play and imagination were vehicles for learning and holistic child development, with a focus on social and collaborative play experiences (4).

Learning through Play

From infancy, babies explore their immediate environment through play. They engage in activities such as looking at themselves in the mirror, throwing toys to hear the sounds they make, or kicking their legs to make their baby mobile jingle. Play provides opportunities for children to develop key skills and understanding right from the start.

The 6 Stages of Play

Researcher Mildred Parten identified six stages of play that children progress through as they learn and develop. No stage is more important than another. Each stage builds on the next as children grow and develop in their own pace (3). So if you’re wondering why your 2 year-old toddler refuses to share or prefers playing alone, or why your only child tends to observe others at play instead of joining them, read on further to find out about play development and stages, and how we can support our children’s holistic development through our understanding and facilitation in their playful experiences.

Psst, you’ll see the approximate age ranges for each stage, but it is also common to witness an older child or even yourself going through most of  these stages especially when one steps into an unfamiliar social setting!

Unoccupied Play (birth to 3 months old)

How does it look like? 

• Lots of random movements 
• No/little engagement with others 
• Observing and gathering information about their environment 

How can you facilitate?

• Provide a safe environment 
• Include materials that engage their senses and curiosity to explore 
• Be conversational to describe and talk about what your child is doing while encouraging free and independent exploration

Solitary Play (3 months to 2 years old)

How does it look like? 

• Child plays on his/her own
• Child shows little to no interest in what others are playing/doing
• Child shows little to no desire to play and/or interact with others 

How can you facilitate?

• Offer a wide variety of open-ended activities and toys for your child to explore (in rotational basis) 
• Give your child space to play on their own with little interruptions or pressures to interact/play with others 
• Gently suggest play ideas to encourage your child to observe/pay attention to their surroundings, giving them the choice to move on, or continue with their play

Onlooker Play (2 years old)

How does it look like? 

• Child observes other children playing without joining in 
• Child shows interest in others and their play by watching and listening from a comfortable distance, but not actively participating in play with them

How can you facilitate?

• Respect child’s curiosity to learn by observing others at play without pressuring him/her to join in 
• Model prosocial behaviours by joining the others at play while your child continues to observe and grow more comfortable to engage with others  
• Arrange playdates and/or group activities with children of similar ages 

Parallel Play (2 years old and older)

How does it look like? 

• Child plays independently alongside other children, sharing resources with little or no interactions 
• Child might observe and mimic other children at play 

How can you facilitate?

• Playdates with familiar similar-aged peers 
• Invitation to play in close proximity to other childen 
• Model examples of turn-taking and sharing whilst at play 

Associative Play (3~4 years old)

How does it look like? 

• Child acknowledges and interacts with other children while engaged in his/her own play sequence
• Child may ask each other questions, talk about their play ideas and/or share resources 
• Child is comfortable to communicate with others while engaged in their own play objectives  

How can you facilitate?

• Arrange playdates and/or group activities 
• Encourage and guide prosocial and communication skills between children such as requesting for items, sharing ideas and expressing their thoughts 
• Provide opportunities for children to work together in a short activity like building a tall tower using wooden blocks 

Cooperative Play (4 years old onwards)

How does it look like? 

• Children discuss and play with a common goal 
• Children may organise play resources, take on roles and set rules for play
• Play activities where cooperative play is evident: organised sports games, role playing activities, board games

How can you facilitate?

• Provide opportunities to play team sports with others 
• Provide guidance and role model prosocial and communication skills that emphasise mutual respect, inclusivity and kindness 
• Invite children to strategise and problem-solve together 
• Teach sportsmanship and unity 

Play and Learn with Camp Beaumont Asia

Camp Beaumont’s celebrated multi-activity camp programmes offer a diverse range of play experiences for your children's growth and learning. The developmental needs of children at various ages require tailored approaches.

To meet these needs, children are grouped into three categories (Playtime, Magic, and Active) based on their ages. This allows them to engage in play and learning experiences with peers of similar ages. Within a joyful and relaxed social setting, purposefully planned play activities are designed to challenge and support the development of each camper, fostering peer learning and the formation of lasting friendships.

Notably, our Camp Activity Leaders undergo extensive training that encompasses thoughtful considerations for age-appropriate activities and interactions. This ensures that our leaders embody the unique Camp Beaumont spirit and deliver exceptional experiences across Asia and beyond.

Join our camps and immerse yourself in this remarkable journey of play and learning. Experience firsthand the magic that awaits your child at Camp Beaumont Asia.

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Additional Information and References 

1. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_power_of_play_part_1_stages_of_play 
2. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2017/case-brain-science-guided-play 
3. https://www.gowriensw.com.au/thought-leadership/types-of-play-for-early-childhood-development ‍
4. https://www.earlyyearseducator.co.uk/features/article/pioneers-jean-piaget-and-lev-vygotsky

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