Activities and Interests
Through early childhood, your child has participated in three types of play - self-centered play, object play, and social play. At six, all three remain, but the trend has shifted to social play. While first grade doesn't provide the same opportunities for role-taking play that children enjoyed in kindergarten, it is still important to kids this year. They will construct dramatic scripts in play, taking on roles of teacher and students, parent and children, boyfriend and girlfriend, cops and robbers, and so on. Role-taking play furthers their development of self-other perspective, builds empathy, and helps them feel a sense of social power and competence. Let them enjoy this type of play. By the end of the year, role-taking play wanes and rule-bound play begins.
Object play means solitary play with toys. At six, object play becomes more social. Dolls will be included in the dramatic script; simple board games are enjoyed with a group; house and school play needs props. The difference now is that two or more children will play together with the toys, creating their own games and using reciprocity to define the use of toys. Many children, however, still enjoy solitary object play. They may be early readers or enjoy building collections. In a sense, solitary object play takes them back to an earlier time and is comforting, less stressful. Six (and older) needs this private play time to relieve the tension of social development. Parents should provide opportunities for children to have social play time and solitary play time with toys and objects that reflect the child's personal interests.
Suggested Toys for Six-Year Olds
- Materials for simple arts and crafts
- House play props such as dishes and a table for parties
- School play props such as dry-erase board and worksheets
- Simple construction toys and science kits
- Simple board and card games, puzzles
- Age-appropriate video games
- Dolls and doll accessories
- Stuffed animals and puppets
- Beginning sports equipment such as balls, golf clubs, t-ball sets, and basketball goals
- Beginning musical instruments
- Bicycle
- Play tents
- Swing set or outdoor gym set
Next > The Six-Year Old - Friendships
Child Development - The Six-Year Old
At Home
At School
At Play
