Chapter 21 Review

Importance of Play

A window into their minds

Provides opportunity for growth and development

Encourages experimentation and discovery

Teachers gain insight into cognitive, social, and emotional development

Dramatic Play

a form of play in which a single child imitates another person or acts out a situation

Socio-dramatic play

the most complex form of play involving several children imitating others and acting out situations together and is seldom observed before age 3

Puppetry is…

play that allows the child to imitate others and share their inner world.

Projection

is when the child displaces feelings and emotions onto the puppet

Stages of Play

1. Unoccupied Play

2. Solitary Play

3. Parallel Play

4. Associative Play

5. Cooperative Play

Unoccupied Play

Begins at birth

No purpose

Infants make random movements

Solitary Play

Independent play

Most often seen in infants

Exploratory in nature- child is gathering info.

Up to 9 months single objects, after multiple objects

Parallel Play

Typical of 2 yr olds

Children play beside each other

Involved with similar activities but little interaction

Use play materials on own

Associative Play

1st Stage of social play
loosely organized
communication related to the activity
no common goal

Cooperative Play

Between 2 or more children for short periods of time

Socio dramatic play begins

More interested in social relationships- gain social skills

Develop and maintain peer relationships

Respect property rights of others, willing to share, and learn to ask permission

Aggressive and uncooperative children struggle with this

Stages of Material Use in Play

1. Manipulative

2. Functional

3. Imaginative Play

Manipulative Stage of Play

Handles Props (ex. screw and unscrew bottle caps)

Functional Stage of Play

Use props as intended while playing with others (ex. child uses bottle to feed doll)

Imaginative Stage of Play

Don’t need real props can substitute

Unique ideas

Some find this stage difficult and some do not reach this stage

Role Playing

mimicking adult roles which allows children to experience different roles

Socio-Dramatic Play Guidelines

Follow social rules determined by group

Give specific instructions

Common conditions

Benefits of Socio-Dramatic Play

Grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically

Act out what can’t be in real life

Learn problem solving skills and decision making

Develop language concepts

Learn new names and gain ideas

Develop creativity and imagination

Learn about human relationships

Learn how to balance play to satisfy and please others

Play themes

Focus on everyday situations and change with age

3yr old Play Themes

Play stresses process

No pre-planned plot or theme

Real and pretend not separated

Imitation

Routines important

4yr old Play themes

Socio-dramatic play

More aggressive behaviors (monsters and action heroes)

Feminine and masculine traits exaggerated

Roles change frequently

Children included and excluded based on sameness and differences

5 yr old Play themes

Games with rules

Fears and hostile feelings displayed

Distinguish between reality and fantasy

Real life and folk heroes

Interest in romance

Teacher’s Role in Play

Resource person provides materials and space

Reinforcing through verbal guidance and praise for positive behaviors

Modeling

showing the children appropriate behavior to use

Coaching

provide children with ideas for difficult situations

Scheduling Play

Best during self selected play

Extended time span

Reduced number of activities

Activities that compliment one another

Equipment and Set up

Location is important large open areas, make accessible age appropriate materials to promote harmonious play.

Prop Boxes

materials and equipment that encourage children to explore various roles, each containing themes, books should be integrated, materials nonsexist and multicultural.

Costume Corner

area where outfits are stored for dramatic play, be sure to rotate in order to compliment current studies and include a variety of cultures.

Housekeeping Area

every classroom should have this area, it encourages dramatic and socio-dramatic play, and child sized furniture and equipment should be used.

Outdoor Play Area

equipment should promote socio dramatic play. (jungle gym, sand box, wooden boxes, and accessories such as tents, blankets, and hats)

Puppetry

Involves the use of puppets in play

Puppets

figures designed in likeness to humans or animals

Benefits of Puppets

powerful learning tools

helps to act out feelings and learn to communicate

teachers learn about students

teaching aid to motivate and encourage children

used to help children solve problems

Hand Puppets

easiest to use

2nd and 3rd finger in head, thumb in 1 arm and 4th and 5th finger in other. (hand more relaxed and can open completely)

held in front of face or over head

puppeteer can sit, stand, or kneel

Mascot Puppets

typically large, made well

used year round

teaching tool: used for classroom routines, introduce activities, and class members, model proper classroom manners and rules

expressive face and strong personality

Me Puppets

using own hands

uses non toxic washable markers, fake fur, felt pieces, double sided tape

Finger Puppets

individual characters that can be placed on each finger to act out different scenarios

Puppet Stage

not always needed

lightweight and portable

usually cardboard

may be covered or painted

tension rod and curtain

portable and less expensive than wooden stages

Writing Puppet Stories

most written by teachers

contemporary and designed to fit children’s needs and interests

start with Theme: topic to base story on

Develop Plot: (challenging)

children must follow action of story

events should occur in logical order

theme- story of events- problems- ending

end with resolving conflict

the ending paints a clear picture and most important point

Conflict

2 or more forces that oppose one another and adds interest to story

Working Puppets

Always model proper communication skills

Puppet should move and face children when speaking

Puppet should be still and facing child that is talking

Moving Puppets

Fingers- create small movements in puppets arms and head

Wrist- moves puppets waist

Arms- are used for locomotion movements

Telling a Puppet Story

Practice story to be comfortable

Create story setting and prep children

Room should set the mood (example’s)

Gain children’s attention- slam door, music, or song

Uses surprises later on

Use special voices-not human like, low/ high pitch, different for different characters

Clear, constant voices

Match puppets size and character