In the 1930s, researcher Mildred Parten defined play as six stages which imitate children's social development. Contrary to Jean Piaget who watched children's play in largely cognitive or intellectual developmental terms, Parten highlighted the concept that learning to play with is learning how to interact with other people. Particular varieties of play are associated with particular age groups, although all types of play occur at any age. Play is the way children interact and explore the world, and several types of play are needed to completely engage a child's social, physical, and cognitive development.

1. Unoccupied play
Generally discovered from birth to approximately three months, infants busy themselves with play. Babies appear to make arbitrary movements without a clear purpose, and might seem to only be celebrating, but this really is the initial kind of enjoying.
2. Solitary play
From three to 18 months, children will spend a lot of the time playing by themselves. During solitary play, kids don't seem to notice other kids playing or sitting nearby. They are researching their own planet by watching, grabbing and touching items. However, it's essential for all age groups to have time for alone play.
3. Onlooker play
Onlooker play happens most frequently throughout the toddler years. A kid watches other children play and acquires new language skills through observation and listening, while learning how to relate to other people. Although children may ask questions of other kids or make remarks, there is no effort to combine the play. This type of play usually starts during toddler years but can take place at any age.
4. Parallel play
From the age of 18 months to 2 decades, children begin to play alongside other children, often mimicking them, but with no interaction. Additionally, it helps kids get the comprehension of the notion of real estate ownership, including the concept of what's"theirs" and that which goes to"others."
This is also when they start to show their requirement to be with other children their own age. Parallel play is generally found with toddlers, although it happens in any age group.
5. Associative play
When children are around a few years of age, they become more interested in other kids than their own toys. Kids start interacting with other children. Associative play is when the kid is interested in the folks playing but maybe not in coordinating their activities with those people, or even necessarily organizing their activities in any way. During associative play, children inside the group have similar goals. But, they do not set rules and there is not any formal association.
6. Social/cooperative play
Children around the age of three are beginning to socialize with other children. They are interested in the kids around them, and at the actions they are doing. By interacting with other kids in play settings, a child learns social rules such as give-and-take and cooperation. Kids start to share toys and thoughts, and follow established rules and guidelines. They begin to learn to use moral reasoning to develop a sense of values. Activities are organized and participants have delegated roles. Group identities might emerge, much like make-believe games.
Beyond Parten's Stages, play may also be clarified from these additional categories or types of activities children can participate in during play.
7. Motor -- Physical Play
Physical play offers a chance for children to develop muscular strength, coordination, and workout and develop their own bodies while maintaining healthy weight. Children also learn to take turns and take winning or losing.
8. Constructive Play
Within this kind of drama, kids build and create things. Constructive play begins in infancy and becomes even more complex as your child grows. Throughout constructive play, kids explore objects, discover patterns, and problem solve, to discover exactly what works and what doesn't. They gain confidence manipulating objects, and practice creating ideas and working with numbers and concepts.
9. Expressive Play
Children learn how to express emotions and feelings during play. Art, music, indoor jungle gym equipment and writing help children develop creativity and symbolic communication through play.
10.
Kids learn to produce and imagine beyond their entire world during fantasy play. They might assume adult roles and learn how to think in abstract ways. Kids stretch their imaginations and use new words and numbers to communicate theories, imaginations and historic theories. Children can re-enact scenarios, experiment with languages, and learn how to communicate feelings during fantasy play. They can also work out emotional issues by projecting them onto a dream situation.
11. Competitive Play
Aggressive play starts from the late preschool period. The play is organized by grouping goals and established rules. There's at least one chief, and children are in or outside of this group.
Children are moving out of a self-centered world to an awareness of the value of social interactions and principles. Part of the development occurs when they learn games such as Tag, Follow the Leader, Simon Says, and group sports.
12.
When kids play electronic video games or even computer-based learning programs, they are engaging in a kind of solitary playwith. There is no social interaction or consequences. If excess, virtual play often negatively affects a child's executive function and social skills, such as eye contact and attention span.
It is necessary to allow children to engage in all of these types of play for their general psychological, intellectual, and physical development. A number of these styles of play will start in the home, but some forms can only start in pre-schools, daycare centers, or out in public parks and on the playground. Make sure your child's well-being by imagining which types of play have to be introduced in your home, and provide them the chance to grow by visiting the regional park or park.