#patternsofplayandinteraction

Play is the work of childhood, and a lens through which we discover the world.  Toy Inventor Bill McIntyre takes a look at essential play patterns from the world of toys and games and explores some ways to use these for building engaging, rewarding and (most importantly) fun interactive experiences.

About

Bill McIntyre invents toys and games for a living. After many years of building web applications for IBM eBusiness, The New York Times News Service, and others, Bill turned his love of toys, robots, and technology into Atomocom, a company that invents and builds electronic prototypes for toy inventors, toy manufacturers and game inventors. Bill has developed electronic Barbie prototypes, talking Tron action figures, infrared action games, computer connected dolls, and just about everything in between. Working with other toy inventors, manufacturers, and game designers from all over the industry has given him a unique perspective on technology and toys, and their potential for twenty-first century interactive play.

Here are the notes I took while viewing this presentation ... 

“Play is whatever is done spontaneously and for its own sake.”

Tools of play:

Toy

Game

“Play is the work of childhood”

“Fun is just another word for learning.” - Ray Kostler

What makes something play:

Attitude

How do you make something playful:

Spontaneous

Voluntary

Free

Playing means choosing:

Play pattern

Theme

Narrative

Free from consequence

No real-life penalties

free to experiment

child as scientist

Adding consequences changes the whole context of play.

Mildren Parten - “Stages of Play” - 1932

Solitary Play

Parallel Play (Bowling, Golf)

Cooperative Play - activity becomes shared and organized. Roles may emerge. A group identity may emerge. Play is enhanced in you involve players together.

Play Pattern - common play experiences. A way to play that is separate from the narrative and theme.

Root of all play is exploratory play.

Sensory - Motor Discovery

Learning cause and effect

Tranformative play - creative play

Painting, drawing, sculpting

Changing the world

Construction play - blocks, legos, minecraft

Physical Play

Sports, dance, skill play

Pretend Play

Always has two elements:

Narrative -- something is going to happen

Theme -

Root is role-playing. Root of role-playing is nurturing. Exploring the parent-child relationship.Extends quickly to pets. Doll (action figure) play - you play multiple characters at the same time. Dynamic that lets you explore all sides of the situation. People explore social outcomes.

Doll houses/action playsets - enhance the narrative. Gives the child an environment where they have a sense of control.

Outfits = role

Props = role

Are there differences in the ways that boys and girls play?

All children draw from the same essential play patterns - times that different children utilize different patterns varies by child. “Pink Brain/Blue Brain” - Lise Eliot, Ph.D.