The How to ABA Podcast 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 We discuss why using outdated play activities (like blocks or shape sorters) with older learners can be problematic and highlight the importance of transitioning to leisure skills as children mature, especially for teens and adults. We also touch on strategies for teaching play, including sensory-social routines, modeling, and focusing on student motivation.
What’s Inside:
- How to use ABA programs to support play through the ages
- Issues with using outdated play activities with older learners
- Strategies to use when teaching play
Mentioned In This Episode: