The bakers

Three year old Seb is at his playgroup. He is at the sandpit and has started a game of bakers with some hollow blocks. Other quickly join in and a game develops.

Good for looking at

• Pretend play
• Object play
• Cooperative play
• Socialising
• Emotional development
• Communicating
• Language
• Co-operation
• Avoiding conflict

 

Three year old Seb is at his playgroup. He is at the sandpit and has started a game of bakers with some hollow blocks. Other quickly join in and a game develops.

Notice

• How Seb communicates during his play (look out for body language and non-verbal)
• How is Seb learning? Which areas of development, engagement and characteristics of learning can you observe?
• The dynamics of the group while engaging in free play
• How do the environment and materials support the children’s learning?

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• The areas of learning and development that were covered through his play activity?
• What was the adults role? Even though they weren’t involved, what have they done to support this play?
• The importance of the environment and the materials?

Respond

What would you do to:

• How could you support Seb’s leadership skills?
• How could you support the older girl’s leadership skills?

What next:

• Could you suggest a way of encouraging this kind of role play in your own setting?