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Play is an extremely important part of any child's development. Play helps children develop socially, cognitively and physically. Play also helps children learn boundaries and their own likes and dislikes. Play also helps develop important skills such as creativity and problem solving.

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During a Child's first two years, they will demonstrate two types of play, Unoccupied and Solitary. Unoccupied play is when a baby is discovering their own body. They will likely move their arms and legs and put their extremities in their mouths. During the unoccupied play period, you can engage your child with a game of peekaboo. This game helps develop their motor skills and cognitive abilities.

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Solitary play is where they begin to play with toys and things around, but they do so independently. Providing your child with stacking cups or bowls during this period of play will further develop motor and cognitive skills.

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From 2 on children will slowly begin to watch, mimic, and join others when they play. Children start this by engaging in Onlooker play and then Parallel play.

Onlooker play is when one child watches another child or adult play but does not join. This is more of an observation phase. They may not be engaged physically, but they are still learning. Role playing activities are great during this period, so provide children with things like kitchen utensils while you cook dinner.

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Parallel play is when a child will play alongside another child, but not play WITH that child. This type of play helps children develop cognitively, socially, and linguistically. Setting out blocks is a perfect activity for parallel play as it allows each child to play independently while also observing the other child.

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Exploratory play and Functional play will be two types of play you observe during this age. Functional play is playing, just for the sake of playing. Functional play helps a child learn about their senses and develops them cognitively and physically. A modular couch, such as a nugget couch would be a great tool and activity for this type of play.

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Exploratory play is all about a child exploring their senses and surroundings. Sensory bins including sand, slime, water and any other materials would be a perfect activity for this type of play!

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During ages 3 to 4, children begin to play amongst other children and start interacting with them. These types of play are Associate play and Cooperative play.

Associate play is when the children are playing around each other, but not necessarily with each other. Giving children a shared set of blocks will allow each of child their independence while allowing them to watch and learn about the children around them.

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Cooperative play is when we finally see children interested in one another just as much as what they are doing. During this type of play, they may work together to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Puzzles are a great activity for cooperative play! A puzzle will encourage communication and teamwork.

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from 4-6, your child will be entering school and engaging in all kinds of play. During these ages, your child may be engaging in Physical and Fantasy types of play.

Physical play is exactly how it sounds. They will be running, jumping, climbing and crawling. Playdates at their favorite playground are a great activity for this type of play!

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Fantasy play, also referred to as pretend play is another type of play that you will see at this age. It helps children develop cognitively, and socially as well as encourages creativity. Providing your child with items for dress-up is a great way to help them with this type of play.

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(n.d.). Brightwheel. https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/parallel-play#:~:text=Parallel%20play%20is%20when%20children,what%20other%20children%20are%20doing.

(n.d.). Baby Sparks. Baby Sparks. https://babysparks.com/2019/07/31/4-types-of-play-how-is-your-child-playing-today/

(n.d.). Pathways. Pathways. https://pathways.org/kids-learn-play-6-stages-play-development/