Inclusive Play – Evidence Based Tips

Inclusive play can help to provide opportunities for children to have fun expereinces, access toys, make new friends, social skills, develop motor skills and more! Play provides children with the ability to make choices, try new things in a safe environment, and learn new skills. For children, play is intrinsically motivating, spontaneous and FUN!

What is Inclusive Play?

Inclusive play creates opportunities for all children, regardless of disability and background. It doesn’t necessarily mean that all toys or equipment will be accessible to every single child, but it does mean that various foundational aspects are necessary for positive results. There are four foundational aspects to help support inclusive play. These evidence based tips may help to increase peer interactions during playtime for children with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities.

Physical Environment

Toys should be limited and well chosen.  Children will play longer when allowed to choose their playthings.  Social play such as pretend play, creativity or cooperative play helps to increase social interactions. The play area should be relatively small.

Provide toys that can be played with together (social toys) and toys that be used independently (isolate toys). Examples of social toys are role playing materials, toy vehicles, and dolls.  Examples of isolate toys are puzzles and art materials.

Grouping the Children

When the teachers group the children try to group children with disabilities with peers who demonstrate appropriate social skills. Teachers can choose the peer based on peer’s level of tolerance, empathy, and his or her activity preferences. If a peer does not work out, simply try a different child the next time.

The target behaviors should be play and joint attention.

Social Stories and Pre-Teaching

Some students may benefit from teachers pre-teaching some of the skills to the student to get them ready for inclusive playtime. Social stories may also help increase the likelihood of a positive experience with inclusive play.

Adult Interaction During Inclusive Play

The fourth critical aspect to inclusive play is for the adults to act as facilitators. They can set up the interactive activities, help with communication and arrange the environment to encourage play. Adult interaction should be as minimal as possible creating a balance between helping when needed and stepping back to encourage independent play.

For children, play is the fundamental basis for developing social skills, language, communication, and motor skills. Including these four necessary components to inclusive play, may help to increase the benefits for all children.

Reference: Papacek, A. M., Chai, Z., & Green, K. B. (2015). Play and Social Interaction Strategies for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Inclusive Preschool Settings. Young Exceptional Children, 1096250615576802.

 

Play Move Develop includes 100 reproducible games and activity ideas to encourage motor skill development and learning in children.  FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

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