Understanding Mildred Parten's Social Behavior Theory of Play

What is play?

• An activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation

• An activity engaged in for serious or practical reasons

• An activity engaged in for profit or survival

• An activity engaged in for academic learning

What are the two main forms of play?

• Free play and structured play

• Solitary play and parallel play

• Onlooker play and associative play

• Cooperative play and unoccupied play

Which stage of play involves a child observing everything around them without engaging in any organised activity?

• Unoccupied play

• Solitary play

• Onlooker play

• Parallel play

What is the purpose of unoccupied play?

• To practice manipulating materials and objects

• To entertain oneself without social engagement

• To learn social rules and relationships

• To express interest in both people and activities

Which stage of play involves a child playing alone and focusing on their own activities?

• Unoccupied play

• Solitary play

• Onlooker play

• Parallel play

What is the purpose of solitary play?

• To practice manipulating materials and objects

• To entertain oneself without social engagement

• To learn social rules and relationships

• To express interest in both people and activities

Which stage of play involves a child watching other children at play without joining in?

• Unoccupied play

• Solitary play

• Onlooker play

• Parallel play

What is the purpose of onlooker play?

• To practice manipulating materials and objects

• To entertain oneself without social engagement

• To learn social rules and relationships

• To express interest in both people and activities

Which stage of play involves a child playing separately from other children but mimicking their actions/playing along side?

• Parallel play

• Associative play

• Cooperative play

• Unoccupied play

What is the main purpose of cooperative play?

• To learn social rules and relationships

• To entertain oneself without social engagement

• To practice manipulating materials and objects

• To express interest in both people and activities