Stages of Play in Early Childhood

by Anya Dashevsky

Understanding the stages of play can help parents recognize and support their child’s development. Play is essential for social, cognitive, and emotional growth, and each stage builds on previous skills while preparing children for more complex forms of interaction.

References

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  • Fromberg, D. P. (Ed.)., & Bergen, D. (1997). Play from Birth to Twelve and Beyond. Psychology Press.
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  • Parten, M. B. (1932). Social participation among preschool children. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 27(3), 243–269.
  • Pathways.org. (n.d.). Pathways.org. https://pathways.org
  • Pathways.org. (n.d.). A parent’s guide to the stages of play. https://pathways.org/watch/parents-guide-stages-play/
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  • Rubin, K. H., Bukowski, W. M., & Laursen, B. (2013). Handbook of peer interactions, relationships, and groups. Guilford Press.
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  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Acknowledgements

This blog post was prepared with the help of Rachel Beck, a second year graduate student at Tufts University’s Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development. Rachel is passionate about child development and supporting children and their families. This has manifested itself in all of her professional work, including her experiences in Early Intervention and Healthy Families Massachusetts.