Play Types

• Dramatic or Make-Believe Play - Also called sociodramatic play. This is pretend play with others that involves taking roles in imaginary situations (such as playing house or school). Children are aware that they are pretending so they understand cognitively that it is representational activity. This type of play begins at about two-and-a-half years--although even older infants and toddlers may begin--usually by imitating a parent by taking care of a “baby” (a doll or stuffed animal). This type of play is essential since it is how children make sense of social situations--working out anxieties and trying on other roles.
• Active Play - Motor-based play where a child is using his body to interact with other people and/or things. Examples are swinging, ball play, and large block building.
• Quiet Play - Not physically active but rather involves quiet sitting (like reading or doing a puzzle). Often involves playing with manipulatives (or “table toys”).
• Skill Mastery Play - When children do a new skill repeatedly in order to learn it, such as learning to ride a bike or stack blocks. Children often seem “driven” when doing this sort of play.
• Sensory Motor Play - When a child plays with messy stuff like sand and water.
• Rough-and-Tumble Play - Physical play that resembles wrestling or fighting but makes children happy rather than angry. Especially compelling for boys since it is how they traditionally establish dominance hierarchies.
• Creative Play - Involves artistic expressions and imagination (painting, dancing, etc.). Can overlap with other categories such as quiet or active play, depending on the activity.