Comparison of Play Behaviors of Children with Developmental Delays and Their Normally Developing Peers

Introduction: Both hereditary and environmental factors influence development, and some children experience delays in one or more developmental domains compared to their peers. Play behaviors vary according to a child’s age and developmental level. The present study aims to examine the play behaviors of preschool children with developmental delays and compare them with those of their typically developing peers. Method: The study employed a causal-comparative design, one of the quantitative research methods. The sample consisted of a total of 60 children aged between 49 and 71 months, including 30 typically developing children and 30 children with developmental delays. The developmental levels of the children were assessed using the Denver-II Developmental Screening Test, while their play behaviors were evaluated with the Play Behavior Scale for Children Aged 36-71 Months. Since the data showed a normal distribution, the Independent Samples t-test was used for analysis. Findings: Among all children and within the typically developing group, boys engaged in rough-and-tumble play more frequently than girls, whereas gender did not significantly influence the play behaviors of children with developmental delays. In terms of age, only among children with developmental delays did those aged 61–71 months display quiet behavior more often. Compared to typically developing peers, children with developmental delays preferred quiet and rough-and-tumble play more frequently, while engaging less in social play. Discussion: The play profiles of children with developmental delays differed markedly from those of typically developing children. These findings underscore the importance of designing play-based preschool interventions that promote both individual competencies and group interactions, particularly by supporting children’s linguistic and emotional skills.