Improving behaviour classification consistency: a technique from biological taxonomy

AARE2002: Paper CHO02101

Is the child obviously playing?

If a positive decision cannot be made quickly, the child is not obviously playing. Therefore,
choose ”No.” Problem behaviours such as self-directed or other violent behaviour are not
play, even if play objects are used.

Is the child exploring or examining play objects or the play partner’s play?

This includes watching, listening, touching and so on. If the child’s attention is directed
towards the play partner, the child must be watching the play partner ’s play, rather than
the play partner.

Does the play consist only of play objects being used in a physical manner?

Play objects includes all things played with, such as the sand in a sandpit, as well as con-
ventional toys. If any abstract, symbolic, or representational elements are present, decide
”No.” Examples include the use of wooden blocks to represent cars, play that assumes
the presence of non-existent play objects, or non-existent properties of play objects. If no
play objects are used, decide ”No.”

Are the play objects being organised spatially?

Examples include making piles of sand, stacking blocks and drawing a picture.

Are rules obviously being followed?

If a positive decision cannot be made quickly, rules are not obviously being followed.
Therefore, choose ”No.” If either the child or play partner dictates the play according
to whim, this doesn’t count as rules. Decide ”No.”

Figure 6: Notes for the coder

Payne, R. W. and Preece, D. A. (1980). Identification keys and diagnostic tables: a review. J. R.
Statist. Soc. A, 143 253-292.

Slater, P. J. B. (1978). Data collection. pp 7-24 in Colgan, P. W. (ed), Quantitative Ethology, John
Wiley, New York.

Whitley, B. E., Jr. (2002). Principles of research in behavioral science, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, Boston.

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