Filip plays in the sand pit Scroll to learning area

Three year old Filip is in group time, they are looking at snails. He wanders off and walks over to the sand pit. Because of his severe form of epilepsy he has sensory integration issues and can find different textures and surfaces difficult. The adult, Angela, supports him to get into the sand pit and engages with him in object and pretend play.

Find out more about Filip

Good for looking at

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• Pretend play
• Object play
• Effective adult support
• Understanding the world – people

Filip, three yeas old, is sitting at group time, he loses interest and walks over to the sand pit. Because of his severe form of epilepsy he has sensory integration issues and can find different textures and surfaces difficult. The adult, Angela, supports him to get into the sand pit and engages with him in object and pretend play.

Notice

• What cues can you see that show what Filip is interested in? (Look out for non-verbal and body language as well as spoken language)
• How Filip is learning? Which areas of development, engagement and characteristics of learning can you observe?
• In what ways does the adult support Filip’s learning?
• How does the environment and materials support Filip’s learning?

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• The value of this type of pretend play for Filip?
• The role of the adult in this interaction – how did she support Filip?
• Filip was allowed to leave the group time, what are your thoughts about this?

Respond

What would you do to:

• Support Filip’s ability to pretend? Why is pretend play so important, especially for children with special needs who may find this kind of play difficult?
• Encourage other children to join Filip’s game?
• Extend Filip’s learning – e.g. using his interests to develop his skills further?
• Model behaviours for young children and show how useful they are?

What next:

• Do you need to encourage more pretend play for all of the children in your setting? What changes might you need to put in place to make this possible? Do you know enough about pretend play and it’s benefits?