Parallel and then... cooperative

Wow! What started as individual projects being created at different spots on the rug evolved as time passed...

into some cooperative group play. When we discussed what they were building, it became clear that the kids had a plan for walls and a roof to be completed before adding another story to their creation.

One of the things we are working on as a staff is supporting kids as they negotiate the means to enter ongoing play and to share materials in a friendly way. We supply them with language to help them explain their intention or desire to play with the other children as well as to help them express their feelings as the play progresses. It's as simple as "You can tell Emily - I'm using this square for the wall." - but for a two year old child who's upset that someone else is trying to take her block, it's a reflex to whine in protest and squirm away. When the script is provided by a teacher, the child visibly relaxes and explains the problem to her peer.