A kind of play which can be observed in infants:-

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Unoccupied play is the first and earliest stage of play, typically observed from birth to 3 months of age.
It is characterized by an infant's seemingly random movements, such as kicking their legs, waving their arms, and observing their surroundings.
This type of play, while appearing aimless, is a crucial first step in a child's development, laying the groundwork for future exploration and interaction.

Option A: Associative play involves social interaction, sharing, and communication, which are developmental milestones of preschoolers (3-4 years), not infants.
Option B: Parallel play is characteristic of toddlers (2+ years). In this stage, children play alongside each other but do not interact, which is a more advanced social stage than that of an infant.
Option C: Onlooker play, where a child watches others play, is typical for toddlers (around 2 years). An infant (0-1 year) does not yet have the cognitive ability to purposefully watch and learn from other children's play.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Parten's Stages of Social Play as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use knowledge of play stages to perform developmental assessments. A significant deviation from these norms can be an early indicator of a developmental delay or a psychosocial issue.
Nurses can educate parents on age-appropriate play and toys, which promotes healthy development and strengthens the parent-child bond.
Play is a therapeutic tool in pediatrics. A nurse can use play to distract a child during a painful procedure, help them express feelings, or teach them about their health condition.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'infants'. This directs you to consider the earliest stages of child development (typically 0-12 months).
Next, review the options provided, which are all different types of play as classified by developmental theories.
Recall or deduce the developmental sequence of play. Play develops from simple, non-social forms to complex, interactive forms.
Evaluate each option against the 'infant' age group. 'Unoccupied play' is the most basic form, involving simple movements and sensory exploration, which aligns perfectly with the capabilities of a young infant.
Eliminate the other options (Associative, Parallel, Onlooker) as they describe more socially advanced play typical of toddlers and preschoolers.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 134-136

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 144-146

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