What might play look like?

In an effort to further unpack the complexity of play, I have thought about my ongoing visits to Early Learners (3-5 year olds) and my own experiences of observing children play, to think about the vast range of things children might do as they play. In considering what play might look like, I have made considered concepts children might inquire into and made explicit connections between a child's play, thinking, inquiry and understanding. Play is anything but trivial!

Play and being playful can be rather abstract, so these concrete examples might help to clarify, deepen and broaden our thinking. 

In their choices, children might engage in dramatic or imaginative play. This might include small world play or taking on different characters. Children might be pretending, fantasising, imagining, role playing or changing voices. Concepts explored could include character, performance, setting, storytelling, fantasy, imagination and empathy. Learning spaces that encourage this play might include props, costumes, puppets, engaging stories and non-fiction, real-life objects that spark curiosity, writing tools, money, small world resources such as miniature farms, dolls houses and Lego. Outdoor spaces with sand, stones, sticks and quite simply space itself, might grab children's imagination, too. 

Children might engage in physical play. Children might be throwing, swinging, dancing, jumping, climbing, balancing or moving. Concepts explored could include forces, energy, movement, sequence, resilience and accuracy. Learning spaces (indoors and outdoors) that encourage this play might include parks, forests and nature trails; climbing frames, skipping ropes, crates, big blocks, tyres, fabrics, music from different cultures, balls, bikes and scooters.  

Children might engage in exploratory play. Children might be tinkering, dismantling objects, using all of their senses, trying ideas out and experimenting with materials such as sand, water or paint. Concepts explored could include experimentation, trial and error, observation, curiosity, prediction, properties and theory building. Learning spaces that encourage this play might include miscellaneous objects, loose parts, living things, a water table, a sand table, a light table, magnets, mirrors and a mud kitchen. 

Children might engage in transformational play where materials are combined to make something new. Children might be designing, constructing, connecting, inventing, painting, creating, composing or cutting. Concepts explored could include design, innovation, construction, forces, pattern and sound. Learning spaces that encourage this play might include fabrics, loose parts, craft materials, blocks, clay, wire, paint, cardboard and natural materials outdoors. Anyone interested in reading more about loose parts might want to view this Wakelet collection. 

Children might engage in symbolic play. Children might be storying or using objects to symbolise other objects. Concepts explored could include communication, symbolism, storytelling and imagination. Learning spaces that encourage this play might include loose parts, letters and numbers, both inside and outdoors. 

Children might play games. Children might be following the rules of games, strategising, adapting rules or inventing their own games. Concepts explored could include fairness, responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship, turn-taking, respect, sequence and strategy. Learning spaces that encourage this play might include games from different cultures, board games, dice, spinners, cards, sports equipment, playground games, jigsaw puzzles and games requiring logic such as Tic Tac Toe. 

Although there are several types of play listed here, it is important to recognise there are other types, other ways to classify play, and children do not limit themselves to one type of play at a time. In their play, children are intrigued and driven. They puzzle, wonder, solve, ask, imagine, wonder and test theories... acts of inquiry to make meaning of the world around them. Registration with OPAL gives you free access to 16 very useful playtype videos with reflective questions to consider. 

What does play look like in your setting?