A comparison of free play behaviors in delayed and nondelayed preschool children

The free play behavior of 2l developmentally delayed (delayed group) and 23 normally developing (nondelayed group) preschool children was observed in homogeneous settings. It was hypothesized that a significant difference in play behaviors would be seen between the two groups, with the nondelayed group engaging in more mature forms of play. It was also hypothesized that a nonsignificant relationship between level of play and developmental level would occur in the delayed group. Three play scales were used to measure the play behavior: the Parten Scale of Social Participation, the play scale developed by Sara Smilansky, and the combined form of both scales. The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDsT) was used to assess the developmental levels of the delayed group. A chi-square analysis revealed significant differences (p < .01) between the two groups on all three of the play scales. Follow-up proportional analyses revealed that the nondelayed group engaged in a significantly greater proportion of associative, functional, dramatic, and associative/functional play. The delayed group engaged in significantly greater proportions of onlooker, parallel, constructive, parallel/ functional, and parallel/constructive play. These findings supported the first hypothesis. Significant, positive correlations (p < .Ol) were found between mean play scores and DDsT scores. This failed to support the second hypothesis.