Entering Play!

Entering Play

I don't know how many times this has happened in my teaching career...A child sees other children building a tall structure in the block area. If she doesn't yet have the skills and language to join in the play, she will knock down the tower, push it in, or maybe grab blocks. It's not enough to tell her, "Go over there and use your words." Many children haven't yet learned the words to use. If she knew she probably would have used them.

As we teachers play with children, we must model scripts and skills they need to join in ongoing play with others. Here is an example of how scripting and modeling can work in the classroom.

Today I saw a child walk over to the rug and take some blocks from two children playing on the rug together. The two children said, "Hey we were using those blocks!" I reminded the child that took the blocks, the other children were playing and building a structure together. If she wants to join/enter the play at the rug...This is what you can say , " How can I play?" I then asked her to watch me as I enter the play on the rug first. I used the scripts, "How can we play? What are you playing?" I then sat down on the rug and coached the children so everyone had an acceptable and appropriate role as we continued to build and play together.

Successful players join into ongoing play themes. Whenever we model joining ongoing play, we help the child figure out how to join rather than changing the play theme. This all takes lots of time and practice!