Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-culture-of-play-a-personal-perspective/5012552/
Some time ago, I was approached by a concerned teacher who wanted me to observe a child who, she said, was not engaging in dramatic play. The child, an African-American girl, was five; she was enrolled on a scholarship in a program attended primarily by dominant-culture, upper-middle-class children. The staff had been trying to find ways to connect the child with the environment and the other children.When I observed, I saw most of the girls involved in housekeeping play - cooking, cleaning, taking care of the baby. Meanwhile, the child I was observing wandered around, picking up several different items for a few minutes, scanning books, and keeping an eye on the high level of activity. When she finally noticed me, she gave me the look. After a few moments, she came closer to me. I smiled and introduced myself. That was the icebreaker. She and I engaged in a lively conversation. I read a story to her, then another. We put a puzzle together. A few children asked me if I was her mother, and I proudly answered, "No, I am her friend."
When we talked later, the teacher was surprised at how open and involved this child had been with ...