Who developed the “Stages of Play” theory?

The "Stages of Play" theory was developed by Mildred Parten, who conducted research in the 1930s. Her work focused on observing children's play and categorizing it into distinct stages based on social interaction. Parten identified six main stages of play: unoccupied play, solitary play, onlooker play, parallel play, associative play, and cooperative play. This framework highlights how children's play evolves from solitary activities to more complex forms of interaction, reflecting their social development and understanding of collaborative play.

This focus on the progress of play and how children's social skills develop over time is significant in the field of education and childcare. Understanding these stages helps educators and caregivers recognize the level of play appropriate for children's developmental stages, facilitating better support for their growth and learning.