This kind of play aids in the child's gross motor development and allows her to become more coordinated. Object play refers to manipulating objects, such as pulling, shaking, and turning. Object play promotes fine motor skills and can teach specific tasks such as buttoning or zipping. Social play refers to play with others, which teaches children social skills and interaction strategies. Finally, fantasy play means any play involving imagination or pretending, and is the most advanced type of play, in terms of development.
Researchers argue about the importance of play to children's development.
Certainly some play seems to point to certain advances in developmental skills, but research has not been able to show many direct effects of play. In some societies, play is not emphasized to the extent that it is in the United States, but young children do not seem to be negatively affected by the lack of play. Imitation Imitation serves an important purpose for young children, who are astute observers of the world and have a lot to learn. Imitation simply means learning a new behavior by watching another person display the behavior and then copying the person's actions. Thus, we might assume that imitation serves an important purpose for young children as well, who are astute observers of the world and have a lot to learn.