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?
