Opal

Research has shown that for every aspect of children’s development, there is a form of play behind it. It supports all aspects of physical, intellectual and social-emotional growth.

There are 15 types of play identified within OPAL:

• Symbolic Play – pretend playing with objects or toys representing other objects.
• Locomotor Play – movement in any or every direction.
• Recapitulative Play – exploring ancestry, history and stories.
• Creative Play – practising skills for self-expression.
• Exploratory Play – learning about the world and the effect they can have on the environment.
• Deep Play – learning to take risks.
• Imaginative Play – open-ended play to explore using their imaginations.
• Social Play – interacting with peers.
• Mastery Play – purposeful play.
• Object Play – playful use of objects.
• Role Play – exploring scenarios they have seen, experienced or would like to experience.
• Socio-dramatic Play – imaginative and dramatic play shared with peers.
• Communication Play – communicating with peers.
• Dramatic Play – taking on the role of someone else.
• Fantasy Play – play which rearranges the world in the child’s eyes.

What are the benefits of OPAL play?

The benefits of play are extensive, including:

• Health and wellbeing 
• Emotional wellbeing
• Early cognitive development
• Social development
• Cognitive development
• Learning about risk and challenge
• Physical activity and literacy
• Play as therapy 
• Mental health
• Resilience and character