Question
What are the different ways occupational therapists can define and categorize play?
Answer
Occupational therapy practitioners can define play by its form, function, meaning, and context. The form of play refers to the activity's characteristics and the skills it requires, such as the difference between playing indoors and playing on a soccer team. The function of play describes what a child learns from an activity, such as a child playing house and learning about their culture. Meaning relates to the individual motivation or satisfaction gained, such as a desire to win a video game. Lastly, the context of play refers to the environment in which it occurs, which can shape the experience differently at school compared to a park. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4) also defines play as a freely chosen, intrinsically motivated, and pleasurable activity that is distinct from ordinary life.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Play And Playfulness: Intentional Integration In Everyday Practice, presented by Shruti Gadkari, PP-OTD, OTR/L, BCP.
