<P> Modern scholars agree that Parten 's theory has contributed substantially to our understanding of play , and while alternative classification schemes have been proposed , Parten 's stages of play are still widely used . However , there is disagreement on whether there is indeed a sequence of play stages that children go through -- for example , whether toddlers are really unable to play cooperatively , and whether solitary play in older children is less common or a sign of immaturity . Alternative explanations suggest that types of play may be influenced by other circumstances ( such as how well the children know one another ) . </P>
according to mildred partens research on peer sociability play develops in what sequence
there is disagreement on whether there is indeed a sequence of play stages