Parallel Play: The Role Of Play In Children

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There is no right or wrong way to play, it is a process that varies from child to child and is a very natural part of development. Play is how children learn to socialize, to think, to be independent, and to have fun with others. Play connects children into their imagination of the world we live in. According to Jona K. Anderson-McNamee “Play with other children helps a child learn how to be part of a group. Play allows a child to learn the skills of negotiation, problem solving, sharing, and working within groups (2010).” In parallel play children start off with no interaction where they may see the child playing alongside them, but do not interact they grow their independence. Although some may believe the child is isolating themselves its actually helping to develop a sense of what is there’s. Next we have Solitary play where the child is independent and more to itself. A child can benefit from this because it keeps them entertained even when the there is no child around them. Associative play is when the child slowly begins to socialize with other children in a unorganized way. It detaches the child from being so independent to sharing what they have. The final play is cooperative that begins to shows the children the importance of being social and working with one another. Within all of these plays that Mildred Patren observed she realized the different behaviors children have at that age, but weren’t bad. Whether the child is to themselves or working with others they are still working through