Shaving Cream and Cowboys: A Descriptive Study of Play Differences between Typically Developing and Developmentally Delayed Preschoolers

Abstract

Through play, children develop cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Preschoolers go on a journey of self-discovery during play activities, learning self-regulation and how to accurately represent themselves in the environment. This study explored the play behaviours of eight different children in two different schools. Four children were typically developing; the other four were developmentally delayed. The results indicated that despite developmental differences, the children were all able to play in similar fashions. Play can be used for all children and a label of a developmental delay should not limit the type of play in which the child is allowed to engage. If play is developmentally appropriate, then children should be able to successfully engage in the activity.