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From rough-and-tumble to fantasy adventures, did you know there are 16 unique styles of play to discover? Let’s dive in and play!
When we say there are different kinds of play, we’re not just talking about noisy or quiet (though each has its own charm!). The theory of the ways kids play is amazing, highlighting just how busy our little bees’ brains are while they’re working away at play.
For babies, communication play might simply be facial expressions like smiles or blowing raspberries. Older kids can build on this by engaging in verbal games such as telling jokes or singing songs.
Whether they’re chatting or joking, kids practicing communication play are honing skills that will help them express themselves as they grow.
This one’s a classic: socio-dramatic play is when kids take on ‘grown-up’ roles, like playing house or pretending to be doctors.
Here, they flex their social and language skills, building important relationships and safely exploring different outcomes. Consider adding LEGO® DUPLO® sets like Caring for Animals at the Farm to enhance their pretend play!
Creative play is the perfect example of how within one style of play you find different types of play in early childhood. From finger painting to building a LEGO DUPLO house, your mini-Picassos aren’t just making fridge-worthy art but also developing their concentration, attention span and fine motor skills. What’s not to like?
As the name suggests, object play is just about playing with objects – whether that’s LEGO DUPLO bricks or whipping up some imaginary pancakes using pots and pans from the cupboards.
Building structures from blocks isn’t just fun to do, but it also teaches kids problem-solving skills, as well as sharpening their resilience when it comes to trial and error.
Deep play is anything where your child’s play includes an element of risk or danger. Think riding a bike or climbing a tree.
It might sound scary, but encouraging different types of play in early childhood gives kids a wonderfully rich base to draw on. Not only will it help them learn new practical skills, but also how to deal with stress like a pro!
Oscars at the ready! This one’s all about performance and encouraging your kids to work out roles, allocating characters and acting out scenes (to rapturous applause, of course).
Kids engaging in dramatic play are learning crucial cooperation and social skills as well as reinforcing their language and problem-solving expertise. Get ready to roll out the red carpet!
Even babies can engage in rough-and-tumble play if guided gently. This style of playtime might start with gentle knee bounces and progress to play fighting as children get older.
Here they’re working on resilience as well as defining their own – and others’ – boundaries, so it’s vital that everyone has fun and feels safe! Make sure your child knows how to communicate if they’re no longer happy.
Exploratory play is similar to sensory play, in that it involves children exploring their surroundings using their senses. Examples might include squashing playdough into shapes or digging in a sandpit. Basically… anything messy (sorry)!
Encouraging different types of playing will arm your child with a great skill set. Soon they’ll be expanding their vocabulary and exercising creative and fine motor skill muscles. Nice!
Anyone with kids will know their role as the sick patient or tea party participant only too well. Little ones conjuring up imaginary scenarios like playing school or looking after dolls are officially fantasy play participants.
But while they’re bossing you about, they’re actually developing their independence and working out the world around them. Add to that the benefit of creativity, language skills and social skills and you’ve got a lovely way to play. Try LEGO DUPLO sets like the 3in1 Magical Castle to make these fantastical adventures even better!
Yep, it’s a mouthful. And of all the different types of playing, this one is perhaps the most unusual. It means exploring ancestry through games that look at history, stories and rituals. These might include poems and songs, or even fire- and mark-making.
You’re looking to encourage their sense of identity here, allowing them to celebrate their history and lineage.
Imaginary play often overlaps with fantasy play. The difference here is that any physics-based rules that we’re beholden to in the real world are zapped into thin air. If your child wants a LEGO DUPLO giraffe to take flight on a Space Shuttle Adventure, then who’s stopping them?
Aside from sharpening their creativity (points for any astronaut giraffes!), this kind of play also promotes physical development in a fun way as they act out their imagination.
As your child grows, their play patterns shift from parallel play – where they play side-by-side – to social play where they enjoy engaging others in their games.
Social play games – like hide and seek – teach sharing, cooperation and emotional intelligence. Awesome!
Been working on your fitness? You can aid your little ones with locomotor play by getting busy! It basically boils down to moving in any direction, just for fun. You might want to help them climb a tree, chase them outside or roll them around in the covers come bedtime.
Not only will locomotor play help burn off some energy, thankfully, but it will also build strength and skill.
Anything you can physically control counts as mastery play. It might be using tools for making puddle pits, constructing a tower with LEGO DUPLO bricks, making dens or even learning to master a scooter.
When you’re small, there’s not a lot that you’re in control of – except maybe your temper – so kids love mastering new skills to feel independent. It also fosters a sense of achievement which in turn boosts confidence. Make sure you’re piling on the praise to keep them enthusiastic about repetition!
Ready to get involved? It’s your turn to bring your stuffed toy to the vet! Role play does exactly what it says, and lets children try on different roles. You can get involved with story prompts too, starting with everyday scenarios like, “why don’t we pretend we’re going to the shop,” or getting a bit more absurd like, “let’s pretend we’re dinosaurs trying to bake a cake!”
Role play polishes social skills, improves empathy and stretches creativity. It’s a wonderfully well-rounded play style and your kids will love it!
Children don’t let a little thing called reality bother them when they’re deep in play, and symbolic play is a great example. This is when they use an object to represent something else entirely. So maybe they use a cushion as a throne, or a LEGO DUPLO brick as a phone. You can use easy prompts like, “what shall we pretend this stick is?”, when out and about or try coming up with your own creations.
No matter which play style your child is exploring, you’re in for a fun time. Remember – LEGO DUPLO sets are the perfect way to enhance their adventures, fueling creativity and making every playtime a new experience. Get stuck in and enjoy!
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