Developmental Progression in Play Behavior of Children between Nine and Thirty Months. I: Spontaneous Play and Imitation

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Abstract
The developmental progression of play behavior was studied cross-sectionally in 85 children at 8 age-levels between 9-30 mo. In a structured play situation, 3 major play patterns were distinguished: exploratory play (at the end of the 1st yr); functional play (beginning of 2nd yr); and representational play (after 15 mo.). Sequential play first occurred at 21 mo. Play behavior with spatial characteristics was also observed: relational and container play between 9-15 mo., and understanding of spatial relationships, stacking and grouping between 18-24 mo. There was a significant relationship between spontaneous and imitative play behavior; the greatest affect was displayed when the demonstrated behaviors matched the child''s developmental level of play.