Parallel Play: Features, Development, and Applications

All flashcards

What is parallel play?

It is play in which children engage in activities beside one another without directly coordinating their actions or trying to influence one another’s behavior.

When does parallel play typically begin?

It typically begins around 24–30 months, although the frequency of this kind of play generally decreases as children grow older.

What is a simple example of parallel play?

Two children play in the same sandbox, each absorbed in a different activity and not organizing a shared game.

What did Mildred Parten study in 1932?

Parten studied peer sociability among children aged two to five and observed that interactive play increased with age.

Do play forms replace one another in a rigid sequence?

No. Research indicates that different forms of play can coexist during the preschool years; children may move among them in different situations.

Quiz questions

1. In Vygotsky’s account, how can play support intellectual development?Answer: It can let children practice abilities with support or through a challenging activity.
2. How did Jens B. Asendorpf describe parallel play as a possible coping style?Answer: A child can do a similar activity nearby until feeling ready for more direct socializing.
3. In a classroom, what does parallel play as a teaching arrangement involve?Answer: Students work on the same activity at the same time in pairs or small groups.
4. What is body doubling in the context of adult parallel activity?Answer: People work alongside one another on their own tasks.
5. What did Rubin and colleagues suggest about some children who play beside peers?Answer: They may want company but not yet have the skills for more interactive play.