Bob hughes play theorist biography template

  • Recapitulative play
  • Types of play in early years
  • Mastery play examples
  • Learn the 16 types of play children engage in, as recognised by theorist Bob Hughes in Playtypes: Speculations and Possibilities along with their benefits and how you can incorporate this into your practice.

    Chasing, hiding, clapping, role-playing, and playing with building blocks can offer children so much more than initially meets the eye. In fact, all this wonderful playing allows them to build essential skills like problem-solving, communication, self-confidence, independence and coordination, to name just a few. This is why learning through play is something that should be encouraged in every child, specifically under the age of 5 when most brain development takes place.

    Understanding the different types of play and how they benefit children’s development will enable you to enhance your practice and support children in your nursery in the best possible way.  

    Why is play important?

    Working in the early years, you will have heard the term ‘learning through play.’ Often children learn some of their most crucial skills whilst playing, which is why it’s such an important part of their development.  

    It’s very important for early years practitioners to understand the value of learning through play and that you’re able to recognise the many benefits that children gai

  • bob hughes play theorist biography template
  • pdf (1.50 MB)

    These were developed by Bob Hughes for the purposes of adults who study and facilitate play.  It is examined in far more detail in his 1996 book A Playworker’s Taxonomy of Play Types, London: PLAYLINK, UK. Communication Play – play using words, nuances or gestures for example, mime, jokes, play acting, mickey taking, singing, debate, poetry. Communication play used the whole body – from facial expressions, hand gestures, body demonstrating and vocally.

    Creative Play – play which allows a new response, the transformation of information, awareness of new connections, with an element of surprise.

    This play type is one of the most visual by allowing a child to access loose parts, arts and craft materials.


    Deep Play – play which allows the child to encounter risky or even potentially life threatening experiences, to develop survival skills and conquer fear.

    This type of play is defined by play behaviour that can also be classed as risky or adventurous.  This has important benefits to a child’s development.


    Dramatic Play – play which dramatizes events in which the child is not a direct participator.

    Children may also wish to use make up and costumes in this type of play.


    Exploratory Play – play to access factual information consisting o

    Learning through statistic in steady years

    Hard going by Wife Smith

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    Janet Moyles’ spiral theory

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