Spot the difference…

Key differences between Hall’s Recapitulation theory of play and Smilansky’s 4 Stages theory of play.

Hall’s Recapitulation theory: play is a means to release instinctive activities no longer a necessary part of day-to-day life…

Suggests historical tasks and practices were intrinsic rather than performed in order to eat/keep warm/survive; and current activities are necessary to provide outlets to those instinctive activities

Stage 1 Functional playTactile/sensory investigation of objects to gain understanding of them

Smilansky’s 4-Stages theory: tracks a child’s cognitive development – complexity of play evolves as the child learns

Hall’s theory appears unstructured / Smilanky’s theory appear to rely on structural concepts and activities

Does this image exemplify Hall’s theory?

Stage 2 Constructive playGaining understanding of cause and effect

Stage 3Dramatic playIncreasing understanding of their environment and community through role-play and imitation

Smilansky’s theory provides a rationale for why play changes and evolves as children grow

Stage 4.Games with rules…

Hall’s theory provides a rationale

for primitive, regressive and

unstructured play

Gaining understanding of limits, rules and working (playing) with others

Hall’s theory appears representative of unstructured large motor and

physical play

Smilansky’s theory appears representative of structured cognitive play

Image references:• http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/24/article-2566885-1BC7A68F00000578-651_964x632.jpg

• http://www.indusladies.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/toddler-playing.jpg

• Writers own

• https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-aNeVuGOTFk/maxresdefault.jpg

• http://www.kccc.ie/portals/0/Building%20Blocks.png

• http://img.gagdaily.com/uploads/posts/fact/2013/0000c19b_big.jpg

• http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXz1BmZkhmw/T006XA-7aII/AAAAAAAAAQQ/RjHaiJAXrus/s1600/hockey+kids+web.jpg

• https://www.beststart.org/OnTrack_English/images/section4/Visual.jpg

• ttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/be/81/e0/be81e0fe85e7492b0a448a976a0b54c9.jpg

• http://www.barrowhedgesprimary.co.uk/_site/data/files/images/photographer/BBFE0114462B08355623082D46DED0AB.jpg

• http://www.widcombeacorns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSCF0477-300x225.jpg

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