Children's Use of Play

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, through play, children grow in the understanding not only of themselves, but also of others and the world around them, especially in their capacity to communicate with their friends and adults. The author points out that the linguistic competence, which is necessary for success in school, has been linked to improvisational exchanges in children's pretend play. The paper concludes that the progression from simple to complex play is not an easy shift for some children, who may exhibit nonsocial behavior, which is a negative indicator in terms of academic success.

Table of Contents
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
Progression of Play in Development
Pretend Play
Formal Playing by the Rules
Adult Interaction and Role in Children's Play
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Pretend play becomes prominent as the child becomes developmentally able to represent symbolically experience and at this stage, the beginning of role-playing is adapted by children as a form of expression of their feelings and ideas about the world around them in a social sense. Children assume alternate identities, or roles in their play some of which are functional and other which are stereotypical and assumed from the culture of the world they have experienced such as role-playing as a nurse, a super-hero, fireman, and others."

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