Page 6 - LESSION 11.pmd

Play and Early Learning

z Associative play : By the age of three or four years, children begin to play
together, but do not focus on a common goal. Children will be more
interested in playing with other children around rather than with individual
toys. Children may exchange toys or actively talk with or engage one another, Notes
but no rules of play are being set. They learn that cooperation and problem
solving are essential.

z Cooperative play : Cooperative play is where play finally becomes organized
into groups and teamwork is seen. Children are now interested in who they
play with and what the activity is. They now can accept a leader, as well as
other assigned roles, and play to accomplish group goals or specific tasks.
Through this, children learn organizational skills as well as social maturity.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 11.1
I) Match Column A with Column B.

Column A Column B

(a) Practice play (i) Representational system develops

(b) Dramatic play (ii) First stage of Smilansky’s play
(c) Symbolic play (iii) Children use imagination

(d) Functional play (iv) Major role of senses during play

II) State whether the following statements are true or false:
a) A six month old infant is in the pram in a park and watches children
going up and down the slide. He is enjoying onlooker play.
b) Two year old children creating towers with building blocks. It is an
example of constructive play.

11.4 HOW PLAY DEVELOPS

As described by different scholars play varies with age. Piaget described play
sequence at different ages. Other the or is its have also discussed play sequences
at different levels. Play changes according to the biological, social, emotional
and intellectual competencies. An infant’s capacities allow for play through use
of the body. Biological maturity allows mobility and manipulation, which lead
to exploration, and self-initiated acts providing social adaptability, building of
abilities and learning about capacities. Eventually, children acquire emotional
maturity and increasing intellectual perception.

We often see children take a stick and jump and chant "Tug-bug-tug-bug",
pretending to be a horse Such activities convey recall of an earlier experience, joy
in performing, imagining themselves on horse and ability to adapt and recreate.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 21