Some of the proudest moments I have on the job, are when I see the students in my class transferring, or sharing the skills they have developed from academic lessons. Those academic activities have become play!
In the next 4 pictures one child becomes the teacher and the other the student.
One child is showing the the other our colour mittens, which I use to teach colours.
This became a dramatic play moment.
They showed remarkable accuracy in the teaching of the colours,
and the correct response to the colours presented.
They remained at this activity until they had completed all the colours,
about 15 or so.
They respected the roles they had chosen and appeared
content with the result of their time together.
Independently 'playing' also showed the same skill transference.
An activity that had once been taught, now became an activity which seemed like play.
When we think of children playing we think of toys, running, jumping and frolicking about - not always so. Children play in many different ways. All play is a moment to learn and to develop skills. Jean Piaget once said,“Play is the work of childhood.” So whether a child chooses to do something academic or chooses to climb a tree - they are learning and developing skills for life.
I am please that the children in my classroom feel that the activities I have presented, are worthy of 'play'!
