FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

According to Piaget, what is a characteristic of functional play?

1. It includes complex social rules

2. It is characterized by sensory exploration

3. It involves dramatic storytelling

4. It requires significant adult guidance

The correct answer is: It is characterized by sensory exploration

Functional play, as described by Piaget, is indeed characterized by sensory exploration. This type of play often involves simple, repetitive activities that help children engage with their environment and learn through their senses. During functional play, children might manipulate objects, explore different textures, or engage in physical activities that promote skills such as coordination and motor development. This type of play typically occurs in early childhood and sets the foundation for more complex forms of play, such as constructive or symbolic play. As children engage in functional play, they gain an understanding of how things work, experimenting with cause-and-effect relationships through their actions. In contrast to this, options referencing complex social rules, dramatic storytelling, and significant adult guidance involve different aspects of play. Complex social rules are more common in cooperative play, where children learn to interact and negotiate with peers. Dramatic storytelling is indicative of symbolic play, which emerges later in development and involves using imagination and narrative. Lastly, significant adult guidance is not characteristic of functional play, as it tends to be largely self-directed, allowing children to explore independently.