Play equipment for all stages of childhood development
- carolineakruger
- May 14
- 3 min read
In this article we explore how the six stages of play, identified by sociologist Mildred Parten nearly 100 years ago, can be used as a guide in playground design.
Unoccupied Play (0-3 months)
During this stage, children randomly move their arms, legs or head. They are simply exploring their environment and learning about their relationship with their body and surroundings.
How to encourage unoccupied play
Lay infants on a blanket in a stimulating environment, such as near a window or in a room with colourful objects. Offer sensory toys, like rattles or soft toys, that they can grasp or watch, encouraging them to observe and experiment with their movements.
Solitary Play (3 months - 2 years)
Solitary play is when a child plays alone, focusing on their activities without seeking interaction with others. This stage is great for fostering independence, creativity and concentration.
How to encourage solitary play
To nurture solitary play, create a play environment that is full of toys and materials. Offer activities that match the child’s interests, such as puzzles, art supplies or building blocks.
Onlooker play (2 - 3½ years)
Onlooker play occurs when a child observes others playing without directly participating. This is the first step in learning to play with others as it helps them learn about social interactions, rules and the dynamics of socialising.
How to encourage onlooker play
To encourage onlooker play, allow children to watch older siblings or peers as they play.
At Rustics Jungle Gyms we create areas where children can sit quietly and observe others as they play:
Drum Climber, Swings, & Platforms
Parallel Play (2½ - 4 years)
Parallel play occurs when children play alongside each other but do not interact directly. Each child is engaged in their individual activity, often with similar toys or materials, but without collaborating or sharing.
Parallel play aids in early socialising skills, as it introduces children to the concept of playing in the presence of others.
How to encourage parallel play
To foster parallel play, provide children with the same or similar toys and place them near each other in a shared space. Gradually, they may begin to mimic or show interest in each other’s activities, paving the way for more interactive play.
Rustics side-by-side playground features like spring rockers, swings and double wavy slide race can give children the opportunity to engage in parallel play.
Associative Play (3 - 4½ years)
Associative play is when children play together, but have different ideas and goals. For example, talking to each other and playing with the same toys, but doing different things.
This stage helps develop communication skills, cooperation, and an understanding of social norms.
How to encourage associative play
To promote associative play, offer activities that lend themselves to group interaction, such as climbing, playing on the same equipment, or engaging in simple pretend play scenarios.
Rustics climbing frames, slides, balance beams and cargo nets give children an opportunity for Associative play
Cooperative Play (4½ years and up)
Cooperative play is when children start working together towards a common goal or playing a shared game. During cooperative play, children create rules, assign roles, and collaborate to achieve an outcome, such as acting out a story. This helps your child to develop social skills.
How to encourage cooperative play
To support cooperative play, introduce activities that require teamwork, such as engaging in elaborate pretend play scenarios where children must work together to achieve a goal.
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