The caregiver’s role in play
Did you know?
Most adults have forgotten how to play. Think about the last time you played and had fun. Was it when you were a child?
Ivan and Nicole zoom around the yard, arms outstretched like aeroplanes.
'We’re flying over the ocean!' yells Nicole.
'We’re flying over the sea!' shouts Ivan.
'What can you see?' she calls.
'I can see a whale,' Ivan replies.
'I’m going to land in the water,' he calls.
'Me too,' Nicole shouts back.
The two of them drop to their knees on the ground giggling, then fall onto their stomachs with their arms and legs flapping.
How old do you think Ivan and Nicole might be?
One is four, the other twenty four. Nicole is the caregiver and she is modelling ways to play while showing her enthusiasm and enjoyment of participating in play with Ivan.
What do you think the benefits are of interacting with the children in the way that Nicole did? Think of at least three benefits and write them in your notebook.
Providing play and learning experiences can be a bit of a juggle. There are times when you are in a purely supervisory role and your job then is to monitor children’s play. At other times you may be able to participate in the children’s play, when invited, whilst still supervising the group. (Make sure that if you do join in, control of the game is still with the children).
Things you should do include the following.
Encourage children to include other children in their play.
It is beneficial for the child’s social skills and self esteem to encourage friendly interactions amongst the children. Throughout the day look for play opportunities where the children can interact with and include each other. Remember when Nicole set up the sand tray for Curtis? She also set up extra trays alongside which provided an opportunity for another child to play next to Curtis. Setting up a larger sand trolley with several figures in it would also have provided an opportunity for more children to play alongside and interact with Curtis.
Monitor children’s play
This involves scanning and moving about the groups and assisting when needed. This could be when children:
- require guidance with their interactions with one another
- requires assistance in regards to safety
- require help with personal needs eg taking off or putting on shoes
- require guidance with their behaviour.
Collaborate with children in their play
It is important that we allow the child to hold control of their game. The play should belong to them and as a caregiver we act as a resource for the child to utilise in their play.
Redirect children’s inappropriate play
Put simply, this means directing the children to another area or another activity. You may also need to add some equipment or modify the play environment.
Initiate play and physical activities and invite the child to participate
When you have not been invited to join children’s play but recognise that the children need some sort of assistance or intervention is an appropriate time to tap into your repertoire of games and imagination. Games that require some physical skill, such as What’s the time Mr Wolf? or Hopscotch, are examples of play experiences that don’t require much planning and can be initiated spontaneously by the adult. Encourage children to join in, but respect their wishes if they choose not to participate.
Follow children’s lead in play, and participate when invited
How an invitation to join in looks or is presented will depend on the age group and the abilities of the child. An infant may roll a ball towards you while maintaining eye contact, a toddler may bring you a cup of tea from the home corner, as older child may simply ask if you will play with them (although they may not always have the confidence or skills to do this).
Read the following scenarios and identify any that are invitations from the child to join in play. Write your response in your notebook.
Ivan asked Salwa if she wanted some apple pie that he had made from sand and sticks.
Juanita and Concetta asked their caregivers to be the audience for their spontaneous dance performance.
Sam shoots a goal. Tyler catches the basketball and shoots one himself. The ball goes out of court.
Now write down two ideas of your own that show how a child might invite a caregiver to join in with their play.
