What is play? - Carson Street School

• The children need to know before they begin what games they will be playing.
A chart can be made with cards attached with Velcro showing the games in
their right order, one after the other. The children can clearly see then what
they will be doing, and the order in which they will be doing the games. It is
a good idea to have a few short games prepared to maintain children’s
interest and motivation to participate.
When?
• Ensure that the children clearly know when to start and when to stop a game.
• A clearly audible signal is needed if a game does not have a built in end point.
For example, a bell or a timer could be rung in conjunction with saying ‘Time
to finish’ and signing ‘finished’.
• When the game is finished, the materials and toys should be put away in their
right places, before the next game can begin.
• When the game finishes, its card can be taken off the chart and placed into
the “Finish” envelope or box.