Orson puts fireman to bed Scroll to learning area

Orson, at 2.5 years, has complex pretend play in which he weaves a story with a sequence of events. With Mum as his audience, Orson moves easily between his imaginative scenario with the little figures, to fetching the book he needs since the fireman is going to bed.

Good for looking at

• Early literacy
• A love of books
• Pretend play
• Communication
• Language
• Symbolising
• Small world play

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• What the different parts of Orson’s imaginative scenario are for the fireman and other little figures?
• Orson’s concentration, given that he leaves the room for what he needs and then settles himself back into the pretend play?
• How Orson use his spoken language in this sequence – what kind of words and comments? In what ways does he show his understanding of question and answer?
• Mum’s role, she is a vital audience and she is attentive. In what other ways does she contribute to her young son’s play?
• Orson’s physical skills as he moves the little figures – what is he able to do?

Respond

What next:

Orson has plenty of time and suitable resources for him to weave his pretend stories. As Orson puts his fireman figure to bed you can guess that he is bringing in his own experiences: that of course you have a story before you settle to sleep. Orson has a range of little figures and the right size furniture for them. However, his resources for pretend play still leave plenty of scope for his imagination. Orson does his own ‘voiceover’ and any ‘dialogue’.