Who was the propounder of Anticipatory theory of Play ?

Any activity that the child finds enjoyable is play. Play activities provide satisfaction to children. When a child jumps from a step and climbs back to jump again, s/he is doing it simply became s/he is enjoying it, not to show his/her skills to get praise or to win a prize.

At the same time, the child is developing physical and motor skills though this may not have been the child's goal. There are five theories of play:-

• Cathartic Theory
• Re-creative Theory
• Anticipatory Theory
• Recapitulation Theory
• Surplus Energy Theory

Key Points Anticipatory theory of play: This theory is also known as PRACTICE THEORY was propounded by Karl Groos in his two works ‘The Play of Animals’ and ‘The Play of Man’.

• Play of animals: Puppies quarrel in a playful way because dogs have to fight. Kittens run after moving objects, as they have to catch mice.
• Play of man: Children play different roles as a rehearsal for the future. The child anticipates his future activities and prepares himself to meet the problems in anticipation.

Thus, it is concluded that Karl Groos was the propounder of the Anticipatory theory of play.

Additional Information

•  McDougall's theory of social psychology proposed that inborn instincts are the cause of social behavior. In his views, tendencies of imitation and suggestion are rooted in their biological nature.
• G. Stanley Hall, a pioneer in the study of children and their learning processes, is credited with giving adolescence its first full definition in his text.