Understanding learning and development through play
Table of Contents
Case Study
Carrie is working with a group of three year old children who love to play in the role play area of the nursery room. At the moment the area is set up as a castle with dressing up clothes representing fairies, princesses, superheroes and knights. The children can access the area four at a time and they are very good at sticking to these guidelines.
This morning four little girls go into the area together and start a conversation about who they want to be. Sineeta is a very shy little girl who barely speaks in any group situations and one of the children suggests she should be superman.
Carrie overhears this and says, “Oh my goodness, Sineeta is such a quiet little lady she should be a princess!”
Rory, a more experienced practitioner, politely steps in and says, “I think Sineeta would make a wonderful superman.”
Sineeta beams with the biggest smile ever and puts the superman outfit on. They watch the children play from a slight distance away and notice something very interesting. Sineeta is giving the instructions to the others and speaking in, what is for her, a really loud voice.
- Why do you think Rory stepped in?
- How do you think Sineeta was feeling when she was described as the princess?
- Why might Sineeta have become more vocal when she was dressed as superman?
- What could Carrie learn from this little activity?
It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your tutor.