Play is often considered a prerogative of children and only an occasional indulgence for adults. Its role in children's lives is generally recognized as an important part of 'being a child,' but it is not always clearly understood that play is an essential developmental mechanism.ots of Essays, Functions of Play in the Human Lifespan., LotsofEssays.com, http://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693293.html (accessed October 19, 2015).
The First Stage of Labor. The first stage is the longest part of labor and can last up to 20 hours. It begins when your cervix starts to open (dilate) and ends when it is completely open (fully dilated) at 10 centimeters. When the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 or 4 centimeters, contractions get stronger as time progresses.
The first stage is divided into three phases: latent, active, and transition. 1  In the latent phase, contractions occur more often, become stronger, and become more regular. During this phase the cervix thins. 2  The next portion of the first stage of labor is the active phase. During this phase, the cervix dilates rapidly.