Revised | Originally Published: July 3, 2021 @ 4:28 pm

Here’s a free downloadable PDF highlighting what have become known as Parten’s 6 Stages Of Play based on research by sociologist Mildred Parten Newhall. Parten’s theory has contributed to our understanding of play and provides a rough roadmap of how play develops over time. There is, however, disagreement about whether children go through these stages in a strict liner fashion, and some think the age ranges are inaccurate.

The 6 Stages

The 6 stages are:

• Unoccupied Play
• Solitary Play
• Onlooker Play
• Parallel Play
• Associative Play
• Cooperative Play

Here’s The Free Parten’s 6 Stages Of Play Handout

Related Content

• Early Learning Policies And Procedures
• Free Early Learning Forms

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Jeff Johnson

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Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.

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