The toddlers have spent the last five months getting to know each other and, in the process, moving from parallel play to associative play.
Friendships have formed as the children have discovered common interests in the other children around them.
When one of the children is away they will ask where that child is and anticipate an answer. Here are some of the beautiful play interactions we have observed:
Luca and Ben stand at the back of the classroom counter playing cars together Luca asks Ben “Do you want a car?” As he hands Ben one of the cars he has been playing with. “Thank you,” Ben exclaims as they drive the cars together. “Ben let's do something,” Luca states as Ben answers, “Yes,” and they walk to their next activity together.
Nathan and Dania use the small hole in our play fridge taking turns to put the play food through it. Nathan hands Dania a play pepper and Dania smiles putting it through the hole.
Lylah picks up one of the coloured translucent blocks and looks through it as Julia watches smiling. “Want a turn?” Lylah asks handing the block to Julia. Julia then looks through saying “Pink,” to Lylah.
Sharing is an important part of development in children as it teaches them how to make and keep friendships.
Taking turns teaches the children about compromise and cooperating with each other.
When children share they learn how to communicate their wants and needs and learn about others emotions.
The children through associative play gained skills such as communication, cooperation and problem solving. In order to play together in a positive way, the children practice the need to share , take turns and listen to the other child or children.
Playing together and sharing helps children develop their social skills.
Playing with others helps children regulate their emotions.
We have been seeing many new relationships and friendships form as the months have progressed.
We will continue to support the children’s play interactions by creating activities that foster their need to communicate with one another and continue to practice the sharing aspect of play.
