Cooperative Play!

Cooperative play begins with simple back-and-fourth play of two children. They attempt to coordinate their actions so they can roll a ball back and fourth or take turns talking on the telephone. In these early interchanges, children practice the turn-taking pattern of "first me, then you." In their preschool years, children develop their interactional skills further, and some group play begins to form. They learn to play together, deciding what to play and what roles to take. In cooperative play, all the children involved take part in the same activity.

On Wednesday, Samantha, Molly, Lily and Charlotte pretended to play school on the playground. They modeled how cooperative play looks and sounds. Their conversation sounded like this: Charlotte: Who is the stick person this week?
Molly: Let's pick a stick.(Molly used a leaf instead of a stick)
Samantha: Who is it?
Molly: It's Lily..It's your turn to take Chester home!
Then the children sang our morning welcome song, but instead of passing the Torah they passed a truck. Their play sounded and looked just like our morning circle. It is so nice to see new friendships budding as the children engage in cooperative play!