Play Through the Ages (Play vs Leisure Skills)

Leisure skills, unlike developmental play, support lifelong engagement, independence, and quality of life, whether it's crochet, reading, or structured hobbies. In this discussion, we explore how play skills evolve across ages and how ABA programs can support that progression. We outline the typical stages of play, from exploratory and functional play in toddlers to pretend, constructive, and rule-based games in older kids. We discuss why using outdated play activities (like blocks or shape...