Observing young children's rough-and-tumble play

This research investigated the rough-and-tumble play of 17 five-year-old children in two early childhood settings. The study resulted in an increased understanding of the forms of rough-and-tumble play displayed by young children. This study demonstrates that both boys and girls are engaged in a variety of rough-and-tumble play behaviours.

Twenty-seven distinct rough-and-tumble play behaviours were exhibited during the observation period. They included eight components identified as rough-and-tumble play in previous research and also 19 behaviours not previously identified as elements of such. These elements indicate pre-operational forms of rough-and-tumble play. The results of this study have implications for the understanding of child development. It suggests that rough-and-tumble play evolves as children age; that children move into more complex play behaviours as they mature.