Practicing Occupational and Physical Therapy Through Play
As our students play, they are exploring and learning about the environment around
them! Just like we as adults have jobs to do, the “job” of a child is to play. Through
play, they learn the essential skills for life. Play promotes positive social skills,
sharing, good physical health, emotional well-being, problem solving, social
development, etc.
5 TYPES OF PLAY:
• Sensorimotor and Exploratory
• Constructive
• Symbolic and Fantasy
• Social
• Gross Motor
SENSORIMOTOR AND EXPLORATORY:
Through sensorimotor and exploratory play, students learn new motor skills. They
learn how to use their body as they kick or throw a ball, while also learning cause
and effect relationships within their bodies. They learn through their successes as
well as their failures!
Examples: playing with shaving cream, bubble wrap, soapy water and toys, Play-doh,
cooked spaghetti.
CONSTRUCTIVE:
Through constructive play, children learn how the world around them is
constructed. They can use blocks and other “building” toys to make structures that
may or may not have ever been built before! They have to use spatial and logical
reasoning to effectively build any structures.
Examples: playing with Legos, puzzles, pattern blocks, wood blocks, and games like
“Don’t Break the Ice” and “Let’s go Fishing!”
SYMBOLIC AND FANTASY
Though symbolic and fantasy play, children use their imaginations to creatively
interact with their toys and with others. They can express feelings and emotions
that may not otherwise come out, and represent ideas in new ways.
Examples: playing with pots and pans and pretending to be a chef, using a marker
like a microphone and pretending to be a superstar.
SOCIAL
Through social play, children learn about cultural norms and the social system that
they live in. They also learn social skills as they play with parents, siblings and
friends. Imagination and creativity are a large part of this kind of play!
Examples: playing dress up and pretending to go to “work” like mommy or daddy,
pretending to be a doctor, or nurse or favorite television characters.
GROSS MOTOR
Through gross motor play, children get a chance to use the large muscles in their
bodies in various combinations. They learn new motor planning skills, and how to
interact with others in a cooperative manner. This can help to improve coordination
and motor control. This can be a great way to release extra energy, frustration or
tension and increase self-esteem and confidence.
Examples: playing catch, running, playing Simon Says, doing the Hokey Pokey dance,
pretending to fly like a bird or hop like a frog.