As discussed in my last post, I set up a play table and changed the items each week. Dress up and dolls engaged a few students but didn't really bring out the play skills I was hoping for. Then I put out the lemons, a squeezer, jug, glasses and measuring cups and it changed everything!!
Three boys were engaged with making 'Lemonade Supreme' at every opportunity they had that week. They took it in turns to squeeze, measure out, add water, drink it and all without argument or adult input!! The students were totally engaged in play with each other and demonstrated problem solving skills while solving conflict - it was fabulous to watch! The boys even spent lots of time of discussing the name of the concoction.
What was even more amazing about this table was that when it was removed at the end of the week, these 3 students continued to find ways to play with each other. There is one student who is more dominant than the others in the group but the research from Longworth Education School suggested that "When children engage in imaginative play with others, they learn to manage their behaviour and interaction in order to meet a shared understanding of what is or is not acceptable. Children learn to not only agree but also to concede, a valuable life skill." This is what is happening with these three students but because the adults are not interfering, they have accepted their own rules and are tolerating play with each other.
Next term, I am going to try to encourage these three students to play with the other students in the class who still prefer to play by themselves. I will continue to display different items to encourage play on the table and change the games in the classroom.
