Stones and shells

Three year old Arabella is sat at a mirror, playing alone with some objects. She sings to her self and uses the objects in various different ways.

Good for looking at

• Curiosity
• Imagination
• Materials
• Environments
• Object play
• Solitary play

 

Notice

• How do we know what Arabella is interested in?  Be specific, look out for body language, actions, gestures.
• How does she engage with these objects?
• What is she learning from her play?
• Which development areas, characteristics of learning are evident?
• What is valuable about the materials provided as learning resources?

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• How and what is Arabella learning?
• The value of the environment and materials for Arabella’s curiosity and learning?
• The value of this type of play for Arabella?

Respond

What would you do to:

• Encourage other children to join Arabella’s game and support her to use her ideas in co-operative games with others?
• Extend Arabella’s learning – e.g. supplying other materials to develop the game further or would you possibly join in with the game?

What next:

• Does your setting spark the curiosity and imagination of  your children?
• Do you need to encourage more of this kind of creative object play and learning for the children in your setting?
• Could you create an area where children can explore in this way in your setting?