Playtime is about more than just fun and games, there’s different types of play that can benefit children of all ages!
Play is actually a crucial aspect of a child’s growth and development at an early learning centre, providing opportunities for children to learn, grow, and develop a range of skills. From building strong motor skills through physical play, to nurturing creativity and emotional intelligence through imaginative play, the many types of play in early years and all the moments they have to engage and enjoy playful activities is an opportunity for your child to explore, grow and thrive.
So, let’s dive in and discover the different types of play in early childhood and why each one is essential for learning and development.
Why different kinds of play is important in early childhood
Play is essential in childcare programs for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Cognitive Development: Play helps children develop their thinking and problem-solving skills, and improves their memory and attention.
- Emotional Development: Play provides opportunities for children to express their emotions, build self-esteem, and develop positive relationships with others.
- Physical Development: Play encourages physical activity and the development of fine and gross motor skills.
- Social Development: Play helps children learn social skills such as cooperation, sharing, and communication.
- Creativity and Imagination: Play allows children to explore their creativity, imagination, and curiosity.
The 10 Different Types of Play in Childcare
Play can take on many different forms, each serving a unique purpose in a child’s development. It’s important to note that the different types of play in early childhood are not mutually exclusive and often overlap with each other.
Here are 10 examples of different types of play children may engage in.
1) Free Play
Free play is a type of play that is self-directed and not limited by specific rules or goals. It is unstructured and provides children with the chance to let their imaginations run wild.
Why It’s Important
Free kinds of play is an important aspect of childhood as it provides children with the opportunity to express themselves creatively, build their problem-solving skills, and learn how to regulate their emotions and behaviour. As this type of play is typically unguided by adults, it can also foster a sense of independence and confidence in children.
Examples
- Playing with toys and dolls, such as creating imaginative scenarios and scenes.
- Pretend play, where children act out different roles and scenarios, such as being a doctor, chef, or superhero.
- Outdoor play, such as playing in a sandbox, climbing trees, or playing with friends.
- Creative play, including drawing, painting, or building with blocks.
- Solitary play, where children play alone and engage in activities that they choose.
- Improvisational play, where children make up games and rules on the spot.
2) Guided Play
Guided play is structured and led by an adult or teacher in early childhood learning environments. Unlike free play, this different type of play in childcare involves setting rules, goals, and objectives for children to follow, and provides a more structured environment for play.
Why It’s Important
Guided kinds of play can help children learn new skills, develop specific abilities, and practise their social skills.
Examples
- Structured sports activities, where an adult provides instructions and supervises the game.
- Educational games, such as memory games, puzzles, or matching games.
- Art and craft activities, where an adult provides materials and guidance for children to create something specific.
- Music and dance activities, where an adult provides instructions and guidance for children to follow along.
3) Constructive Play
Constructive play is a type of play that involves building or constructing objects, structures, or creations using various materials. This type of play can be done independently or with others and can involve the use of building blocks, LEGO, building sets, or any other materials that allow children to create something tangible.
Why It’s Important
This type of play is important as it helps to develop a child’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. It also allows children to engage their imagination and creativity, and explore different ways to construct and build different objects and structures.
Examples
- Building with blocks, including creating towers, bridges, or structures.
- Constructing with building sets, such as Legos.
- Playing with construction toys, such as hammering and nailing toys or building sets with wheels and moving parts.
- Making things with play doh or modelling clay.
- Building structures with materials found in nature like sticks, stones, or leaves.
4) Physical Play
As suggested by its name, this is one of the different types of play in early years that involves plenty of physical movement and activity. It can include a wide range of activities, from rough-and-tumble play to organised sports, and is an important aspect of a child’s development.
Why It’s Important
Physical play helps children develop gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and physical strength, as well as promoting healthy exercise habits. It provides children with an outlet for energy and emotions, and can even help regulate their behaviour and mood.
Examples
- Running, jumping, and hopping.
- Climbing on play structures, trees, or rocks.
- Playing with balls.
- Participating in organised sports, such as soccer, basketball, or tee-ball.
- Playing tag, hide and seek or other chasing games.
- Engaging in physical activities like dance or gymnastics.
5) Self-directed play
Self-directed play is one of the different types of play in childcare where children take the reins, as they can independently choose what they want to play, how they want to play it, and with whom they want to play.
Why It’s Important
This type of play lets kids choose their own adventures, explore their interests, and develop key skills like decision-making, problem-solving, and socialising with others. It’s the perfect chance for children to truly express themselves while also having fun.
Examples
- Playing with toys including dolls, action figures, or building sets.
- Engaging in imaginative play, such as role-playing or dress-up.
- Drawing, colouring, or painting.
- Reading books, comics, or graphic novels.
- Engaging in creative arts and crafts, such as making jewellery or collages.
- Participating in solitary activities, such as puzzles or board games.
- Exploring the natural world.
6) Dramatic Play
Dramatic play in early childhood is when children engage in imaginative role-playing scenarios, acting out various roles and stories. This pretend or fantasy play allows kids to explore different perspectives and practises social interactions in a safe and creative environment.
Why It’s Important
Dramatic play is important because it helps children develop essential social and emotional skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. It also encourages language development and cognitive growth through imaginative storytelling and role-playing.
Examples
- Playing house or family roles.
- Running a pretend store or restaurant.
- Acting out a favourite story or fairy tale.
- Pretending to be doctors and nurses in a hospital.
- Setting up a classroom and playing a teacher.
- Creating an adventure as pirates or explorers.
7) Competitive Play
Competitive play involves children participating in games and activities where they compete against each other to achieve a goal or win a prize. This type of play often includes rules and can range from simple races to more structured games.
Why It’s Important
Competitive play is important because it helps children learn about fair play, develop resilience, and understand the value of effort and perseverance. It also encourages physical activity and enhances social skills like teamwork and communication.
Examples
- Running or relay races.
- Playing tag or capturing the flag.
- Participating in team sports like soccer or basketball.
- Engaging in board games like Snakes and Ladders.
- Competing in sack races or three-legged races.
- Playing card games like Go Fish or Memory.
8) Associative Play
Associative play in early childhood is when children play side by side, interacting and sharing materials or toys but usually playing their own way. This is one of the different types of play in childcare that is often unstructured, however, children will start to engage via conversation around their mutual interest in each other’s activities.
Why It’s Important
Associative play is important because it helps children develop social skills like communication, sharing, and taking turns. It also fosters cooperation and builds a foundation for more complex, cooperative play in the future, and is often how children start friendships.
Examples
- Building with blocks next to each other and discussing their structures.
- Playing with dolls and exchanging accessories or clothes.
- Drawing or colouring together at the same table.
- Riding tricycles or bikes in the same area and talking about where they’re going.
- Playing with toy cars and sharing the road space.
- Making sandcastles in the sandbox and sharing tools and ideas.
9) Cooperative Play
Cooperative play is when children work together towards a common goal, sharing ideas, resources, and responsibilities in their play. This type of play is more organised and requires communication, collaboration, mutual respect, and are activities that are great for building a child’s confidence.
Why It’s Important
Cooperation is important in different types of play because it helps children develop teamwork skills by designating roles and setting rules, building strong social connections, and learning to negotiate and solve problems together. Cooperative play also fosters understanding as they work towards shared objectives.
Examples
- Building a fort or a large structure with blocks together.
- Playing team sports like soccer or basketball.
- Putting on a play or a puppet show.
- Completing a puzzle or a LEGO set as a group.
- Engaging in a group art project, like a mural or a large painting.
- Playing a board game that requires team strategy.
10) Sensory Play
Sensory play in early childhood involves activities that stimulate a child’s senses, such as touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. It includes exploring different textures, sounds, and materials to enhance sensory experiences.
Why It’s Important
Sensory play may be on the messier side of play, however, it’s important because it supports cognitive development, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. It also helps children regulate their emotions and enhances their ability to focus and engage in their surroundings.
Examples
- Playing with playdough or clay.
- Exploring a sensory bin filled with rice, beans, or sand.
- Finger painting with different colours and textures.
- Listening to different sounds with musical instruments.
- Exploring water play with cups, spoons, and toys.
- Cooking and smelling various spices or learning the difference in tastes between sweet and sour.
Encourage Different Types of Play in Your Child’s Early Years
Whether it’s playing with toys and dolls, pretending, being creative, or simply enjoying some time alone, play is a vital part of childhood that should be cherished and encouraged.
Curious about how play can impact a child’s growth and development? Dive into the world of play theories to learn more on how types of play in early childhood can actively shape cognitive development, or to discuss playtime at Aurrum Kids simply contact us today.