The different types of play

A list of the different types of play

It is important to understand the different types of play and ensure that practitioners are identifying these in the environment. Why not use this list to refer to and print off the printable poster to display in your setting.

• Symbolic Play – The ability to use actions, objects, or ideas to represent other actions, objects, or ideas. As children get older they will use one object to represent another.
• Socio-dramatic Play – This refers to when children are acting out scenes from stories. They use the knowledge they have learn.
• Social Play- When children interact with one another during different social interactions, they will begin to  understand different emotions and feelings.
• Creative Play-This form of play allows children to express themselves and develop self expression
• Communication play- Using words and gestures to communicate with peers
• Dramatic Play- Play where children decide roles to play
• Risky Play. This allows the child to learn about risk taking under close supervision.
• Exploratory Play- Children explore the world  around them and their local surroundings.
• Fantasy Play- This type of play allows children to use their imagination to create fantasy play ideas
• Imaginative Play. Children  role play and act out various experiences.
• Locomotor  Play – This play involves children moving their bodies.
• Mastery Play- This play focuses on what children do and do not have control of and how it makes them feel.
• Object Play Play-Children may perhaps use objects in a purpose they are not designed for providing them with the flexibility to explore different uses
• Role Play – Play that uses imagination to act out roles they have come into contact with.

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