New publication in Evolutionary Human Sciences on object play in Tsimane children
Tsimane family in Bolivia. Photo credit: Adrian Jaeggi.
Object play in Tsimane children foreshadows sex-specific division of labour
In our recent publication in Evolutionary Human Sciences of Tsimane children in the Bolivian Amazon, we found that play is much more than simple entertainment — it is a key way for children to learn the skills they will need as adults. Our findings show that boys and girls tend to play with different types of objects, and these choices mirror the gender-specific roles and activities they take on later in life.
Drawing on over 80,000 observations collected between 2002 and 2007 across nine Tsimane communities, we examined how children’s play changes with age and sex. We found that both general play and play involving objects peak between ages 3 and 7. During this period, boys spent more time playing overall, often with objects linked to hunting and other male-associated activities, while girls more often played with items related to cooking and food preparation.
These patterns suggest that object play provides an adaptive, culturally grounded way for children to practice and refine the skills valued in their community. Through play, children experiment with the tools, techniques, and social roles that define adult life among the Tsimane.
By studying how play develops across different human societies, we aim to deepen our understanding of the evolutionary and cultural forces that shape divisions of labor and gendered skills in humans.
The manuscript is the outcome of a Master's project by Ava Moser, and showcases a fruitful collaboration between UZH departments with joint senior authorship by Prof Kathelijne Koops in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology and Prof Adrian Jaeggi in Evolutionary Medicine.