My husband told me he used to be a member of a motor cycle gang.  He was 6 years old and every playtime a cohort of grade one boys would pretend to ride motorcycles around the school grounds.  They made noisy engine sounds and holding their fists out in front of them revved imaginary throttles.  It’s a wonderful example of cooperative play!

 

Stages of Play

 

There are six stages of play in Mildred Parten’s theory and classification of children’s play.  (She developed this theory for her dissertation in 1929, and I was taught the same theory in the 2000’s!)

 

Stage 1:  Unoccupied play (Birth-3 Months)

 

The child is observing.

 

Stage 2:  Solitary Play (Birth-2 Years)

 

The child is alone and focused on its activity.

 

Stage 3:  Spectator/Onlooker Behaviour (2 Years)

 

The child watches others but does not engage in it.

 

Stage 4:  Parallel Play (2+ Years)

 

The child plays separately from others but alongside and mimics their actions.

 

Stage 5:  Associative Play (3-4 Years)

 

The child plays interactively with others but there is no organization or coordination.

 

Stage 6:  Cooperative Play (4+ Years)

 

The child plays cooperatively with others, and is organized, with participant’s assigned roles.

 

Play is Important!

 

Play is important for children and essential to their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.   Albert Einstein famously called it the highest form of research!  Maria Montessori said, ‘Play is the work of the child’.  It’s integral to their learning and that goes for their Kid’s Church environment, too!  You want children to look forward to visiting every week so age appropriate play needs to be a part of your ministry.

 

 

 

Time to Play

 

Don’t just provide time in your program for children to play, encourage it!  Play time on arrival will provide opportunities for leaders and volunteers to interact with children.  It will help alleviate separation anxiety.  It will help children engage with your Kid’s Ministry and your leaders and volunteers.

 

 

Space to Play

 

Indoor and outdoor play is ideal if you have the weather, facilities and enough volunteers.  It’s best if you can have play spaces that include large open areas, as well as smaller indoor spaces, because it gives you the opportunity to offer a wide range play choices.  This can be difficult if your Church is renting a hall but the good news is children’s play is flexible!  You can create a play space anywhere.  Fixed playground equipment is a classic play space but not necessary in order for children to have fun.

 

Resources for Play

 

Don’t rush out and buy new toys and equipment.  Most families are given a lot of toys and children out grow them.  People are happy to donate (sometimes near new) toys and equipment if you announce your Kid’s Ministry needs them.    I’ve found some treasures at my local op-shop, too.

 

Children will intrinsically choose what they want to play with and who they want to play with.  Wonderful relationships are developed when a child invites a Kid’s Church volunteer to come and play.