Rough and tumble play is a play that might look like real fighting. When children start pulling or pushing each other, running, chasing, falling, wrestling on top of each other, every parent’s instinct is to say “no”, “stop that”, “don’t do that” to their children.  When we see our children playing rough with siblings or friends, we fear our children might get hurt or even hurt their little siblings or their friends in the process. Hence, our instinct is to stop this play immediately but believe it or not, rough play is natural and it actually benefits children in their...

According to a theory developed by Mildred Parten, an American researcher who observed the social participation of nursery and preschool children in free play, there are six stages of play that children go through from birth to preschool age. 1. Unoccupied Play (Birth – 3 months) Mostly are random movements made by infants. This type of play lacks purpose and objectives but is important for developmental purposes. For example, baby moving their hands and kicking their legs. 2. Solitary Play (Around 3 months – 2 1/2 years old.) During this type of play, children will often play alone, uninterested in what other...