RisingOaks' kids play to learn to grow
Why Play?
The better question is, why not play?
After all, play is the way children naturally learn about the world. From the earliest age, as children begin to interact with the world around them, they play. They test. They take risks. They tumble. They laugh. They learn.
Play demands creativity. It develops imagination and dexterity. It creates physical, emotional, and cognitive strength. Play helps children create a world that they can begin to understand, and it leads to a world they can master.
Learning Through Play
RisingOaks' Director of Operations, Kristine Parsons, explains how learning happens through play. Watch this 5-minute video for an introduction to how the educators use schemas and scaffolding to help your child learn how to learn.
The benefits to your child
The team at RisingOaks Early Learning is dedicated to a world where every child thrives.
We build the foundation for learning, at the most pivotal time of a child's growth and development. Preparing them at this stage for a lifetime of learning is the key to their future. In essence, our expert educators help your child learn how to learn, so that as they progress through their education, they are better prepared to flourish and succeed as a result of the joy of learning we provide.

Stages of Play Across the Developmental Continuum

Typical Age: Infant
Description: Simple activities that set the stage for future play
Example: An infant laughs as they blow spit bubbles, clap their hands or kicks their legs.

Typical Age: 3 to 4 year olds
Description: Playing side-by-side, but not with each other.
Example: Two children playing beside each other, with neither one engaging in the other's play.

Typical Age: 3m to age 3
Description: Observing other children playing
Example: A child smiles or laughs at what they observe, but don't participate in the actual pay.

Typical Age: 3 to 4 year olds
Description: When parallel play morphs into playing together.
Example: Two children playing in the same area, having ownership over similiar toys and may involve communication.

Typical Age: 2 - 3 years
Description: Play without a playmate
Example: A child plays alone with blocks and may engage in fantasy or imaginative types of play.

Typical Age: 3 to 4 year olds
Description: Children cooperating as they play together.
Example: Children take turns, discussing rules and roles as they play together.
Types of Play
SYMBOLIC PLAYPlaying with loose parts, using objects to represent other objects. | CREATIVE PLAYCan involve musical instruments, dancing, putting on a puppet show, including dramatic play. | DRAMATIC PLAYImitating or acting out experiences that are seen in the everyday environment. |
ROUGH & TUMBLE PLAYFriendly play involving gross motor and risky play. | SOCIAL PLAYPlaying with a socially agreed upon defined set of rules. | COMMUNICATION PLAYJoke telling, play acting and rhyming exchange. |
LOCOMOTOR PLAYGross motor play that may involve tag, hide & seek, chase and tree climbing. | IMAGINATIVE PLAYObserved in dramatic or fantasy play where a child may pretend to be an animal. | EXPLORATORY PLAYUses all of the senses during play. |
FANTASY PLAYSimilar to dramatic play, but with acting out experiences outside of daily life. | DEEP PLAYRisky play may include gross motor and conquering fears or taking safe chances. | MASTERY PLAYIncludes large muscle play in construction of forts, shelters etc. |
OBJECT PLAYMost familiar type of play using cards, dolls, etc. Involves hand-eye manipulations and movement. | ROLEPLAYChildren take on a role in their play as seen in dramatic, imaginative and fantasy play. | RECAPITULATIVE PLAYExploring ancestry, history, stories or rituals |
First Name |
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SYMBOLIC PLAYPlaying with loose parts, using objects to represent other objects. |
CREATIVE PLAYCan involve musical instruments, dancing, putting on a puppet show, including dramatic play. |
DRAMATIC PLAYImitating or acting out experiences that are seen in the everyday environment. |
ROUGH & TUMBLE PLAYFriendly play involving gross motor and risky play. |
SOCIAL PLAYPlaying with a socially agreed upon defined set of rules. |
COMMUNICATION PLAYJoke telling, play acting and rhyming exchange. |
LOCOMOTOR PLAYGross motor play that may involve tag, hide & seek, chase and tree climbing. |
IMAGINATIVE PLAYObserved in dramatic or fantasy play where a child may pretend to be an animal. |
EXPLORATORY PLAYUses all of the senses during play. |
FANTASY PLAYSimilar to dramatic play, but with acting out experiences outside of daily life. |
DEEP PLAYRisky play may include gross motor and conquering fears or taking safe chances. |
MASTERY PLAYIncludes large muscle play in construction of forts, shelters etc. |
OBJECT PLAYMost familiar type of play using cards, dolls, etc. Involves hand-eye manipulations and movement. |
ROLEPLAYChildren take on a role in their play as seen in dramatic, imaginative and fantasy play. |
RECAPITULATIVE PLAYExploring ancestry, history, stories or rituals. |

Free Play
Children choose from a variety of materials and activities with no direction from educators.


Guided Play
Educator engaged in the play, asking questions, providing additional material and information.