Play/Active Learning

SpectatorHow to recognise if children are operating in this stageof play…Children who are spectators in play are those who observe others butwho do not join in. They like to watch other children playing. Oftenthey can be observed standing/sitting on the fringes of where otherchildren are playing. Although they can appear to be alone or lackingin confidence, they can often be concentrating while observing theplay so that they develop an understanding of what to do.This case studydescribes howThomas, who isin the nursery,watched a groupof other childrenbuilding fireengines outof commercialconstruction kits.When the otherchildren hadmoved on toother activitiesThomas startedto play with theconstruction kitshimself.Building a fire engineCopying the sequence he had observed theother children using, Thomas built his ownfire engine. He then decided that it neededhosepipes and so explored the classroomand outdoors for suitable materials. Theseincluded pipe cleaners, straws, wool, string,long grass and twigs. Thomas decided to use straws. Ladderswere added to the fire engine and prolonged, enthusiastic,imaginative play followed.Play/Active Learning 15