Tier 3:
Social Interaction Distinctions of Play
Who is the child playing with?
As learning and development outcomes can also vary according to the Social Interaction Distinctions during a play experience, it is important to note who a child is interacting with during the play experience. Social Interaction Distinctions may overlap and change throughout a play experience. The size of the play group and age of playmates should both be distinguished.
Age Sub-distinction
Same-age: The child plays with peer(s) the same age.
Mixed-age: The child plays with peer(s) of different ages.
Adult(s): The child plays with an adult or adults.*
Adult(s) and peer(s): The child plays with both adult(s) and peer(s).*
*The Play Category will denote whether an adult is involved. Thus, although these distinctions may be marked on the ERPEC itself during a play experience, it will not be included in how a play experience is named.
Group Size Sub-Distinction
Solitary: The child plays alone.
Parallel: The child plays in parallel with another child/other children.
Partner: The child plays with one other child.
Group: The child plays with more than one other child.