As I've grown in my own understanding of what play is, I've been working on acknowledging that everything young children do of their own volition has value to them. I was reminded today of the value of watching and biting my tongue.
One preschooler began squealing unhappily. Another had taken a dish from her and was running away. They began chasing each other across the house, both yelling now. I looked at the first child's (Henceforth referred to as A) face to decide if I needed to intervene. I looked at the other child's face (henceforth referred to as E). To my utter surprise, they were both smiling. A moment later, A exclaimed, "Shiver me timbers! Give back my ponies!"
What would I have done if I hadn't paused for that moment? I would have intervened, thinking I was helping model problem-solving but instead ending their game abruptly. They would have lost their game entirely, as I ended it with a "teachable moment". Their developing social skills would have taken an unnecessary hit as I deprived them of an opportunity to play together and learn how to interact with others.
So, a final note to myself for next time: intervening too soon is worse than intervening too late. In the words of Lady Allen of Hurtwood; "Better a broken bone than a broken spirit."
One preschooler began squealing unhappily. Another had taken a dish from her and was running away. They began chasing each other across the house, both yelling now. I looked at the first child's (Henceforth referred to as A) face to decide if I needed to intervene. I looked at the other child's face (henceforth referred to as E). To my utter surprise, they were both smiling. A moment later, A exclaimed, "Shiver me timbers! Give back my ponies!"
What would I have done if I hadn't paused for that moment? I would have intervened, thinking I was helping model problem-solving but instead ending their game abruptly. They would have lost their game entirely, as I ended it with a "teachable moment". Their developing social skills would have taken an unnecessary hit as I deprived them of an opportunity to play together and learn how to interact with others.
So, a final note to myself for next time: intervening too soon is worse than intervening too late. In the words of Lady Allen of Hurtwood; "Better a broken bone than a broken spirit."
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