By: Sophie Booth
Children have a natural desire to play, this allows children to explore, achieve and learn. During play
children can actively concentrate, follow their own ideas and interests and communicate with others to
develop and sustain their play. Practitioners need to be playful and be able to engage with children in
their play without taking over or changing the dynamics of the child’s play.
It is important that, when joining in with the play, practitioners are sensitive to the needs of the
children involved and are aware of what is happening before jumping in and altering children’s play.
Playful practitioners should:
• Observe what is happening – find out what the children are playing, what are the roles of the children,
what is the game or activity about?
• Ask yourself, do I need to join the play? – what will you offer to children’s play, will it enhance or hinder
their play?
• Make sure your ideas fit the flow of the play and you are not following your own learning objectives but
instead observe the knowledge and skills that children are using in their play.
• Avoid closed questions – children are not concerned with ‘How many? What colour? What shape? What
size?’ - this shifts their focus away from their play.
• Let children lead and direct, play on the children’s terms and follow their ideas – show them that you
value them.
Children enjoy playing with adults and playing together is a great way to learn more
about the child’s needs and interest on an individual level and a fantastic way to build
and further strengthen positive relationships between practitioner and child.