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Documenting Children’s Play Stories to Enhance Learning

by Stuart Reifel and Shelley Nicholson
November/December 2008
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/documenting-childrens-play-stories-to-enhance-learning/5018443/

A preschool teacher eavesdrops as three children play in the block corner of their classroom. Using wooden unit blocks, the children build a large platform on the ground that they refer to as a ‘ship.’ Ivan constructs the ship while Miguel gives advice in terms of where to place certain blocks to make the proper shape. Sarah watches and then eagerly jumps on board after the ship has been formed. Ivan pronounces that he will drive the ship. Sarah says that she hopes there are no sharks in the water, which leads to all three children searching and pointing out nearby sharks. Miguel suddenly kicks at one corner of the structure knocking blocks askew as he proclaims that a shark has bitten the ship and that it is sinking. There is much excitement as the three children work together to fix the ship in the shark-infested water. (Observation of 4-5 year olds in a child care classroom)

Play episodes, such as the above example, are common occurrences in many preschool classrooms. Observation of this type of play can provide teachers with valuable insights into children’s development, skills, and interests. For example, the teacher might notice that these children ...

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