Observing play- watching another child play. This is an early type of play. Observation to learn how to play in a socially appropriate way.
Parrallel play. Both children are playing independently near each other with the same toys.
Play has building blocks just like other skills such as playing an instrument and learning to read.
Both observing others play and parallel play happen in typically developing children between ages two and four. For children it may happen later and may require more adult intervention to allow a child to develop these skills.
When a child observes another child play, he learns how toys are used and how others react and interact during playtime. It teaches a child to continue play and not stop after he is done with one activity. If a child seems uninterested in watching a peer play, the adult must try to gain his attention. After this is done, creatively the adult or child can help him by pointing out part of the play sequence that the adult feels would help him. If this is difficult, lots of little tries may be necessary. The more successful a parent is in gaining joint attention, the easier it will be this next step of observing play. The adult may need to help a child "make connections" while observing play. "Jon look at how the wheels on Thomas stay on the track when Alex is pushing the train."
A next step in play is Parrallel play. It sometimes looks social but is a step before social interaction. Children are playing toys side by side. Oftentimes, they are sharing the toys. Their play is separate, though. An example of this is wghen two children are at a block center at pre-school and they are using blocks to build a creation. They are close to each other but each has a project all to himself. There maybe a little talking between the children but they may not communicate with each other. In this play type, children are playing appropriately with the toys and are enjoying the play. It is more focused on the play materials than the other person.
Neither of these are social types of play but are vital in learning how to play. Social play will come next after this type of play has been established. If a child doesn't know how to play independently and appropriately with toys, adding the dynamic of social interaction during play just won't be very successful.
I would love to hear ways others have helped a child learn these steps in play.
Posted with Blogsy