Stages of Play

At Spokane Valley Cooperative Preschool, we recognize the importance of play in a child's development. While many programs talk about being "play-based," we set aside the first 40-60 minutes of the day to allow students time to connect and do that-just play!! Play evolves as children grow. It starts with solitary play and progresses through parallel, associative, cooperative, dramatic, and finally, games with rules. Each stage builds upon the last, fostering essential skills like creativity, social interaction, and problem-solving. At our preschool, we aim to support children as they naturally progress through these stages, providing guidance and opportunities for enriching play experiences that promote holistic development.