Seth and Davide blocks and technology

Four year olds Seth and Davide are playing outside with the hollow blocks and a range of non-working technology (tape/cd recorders, torches etc.). They make themselves vehicles and look at what they can do with the machines.

Good for looking at

• Outdoor play
• Technology
• Block play
• Imaginative symbolic play
• Friendship and social skills
• Material provision

Four year olds Seth and Davide are playing outside with the hollow blocks and a range of non-working technology (tape/cd recorders, torches etc.). They make themselves vehicles and look at what they can do with the machines.

Notice

• What cues can you see that show what the children are interested in? (Look out for non-verbal and body language as well as spoken language)
• How are the children learning? Which areas of development, engagement and characteristics of learning can you observe?
• What is valuable about the materials provided as learning resources?

Reflect

What are your thoughts about:

• How Seth and Davide communicate with each other?
• How are the children learning from each other?
• The value of this type of play for them?

Respond

What would you do to:

• Support Seth and Davide’s friendship?
• Encourage them to talk about what they’re building? How do they think the machines work?
• Extend their learning – e.g. if the play gets stuck or too repetitive how could you move it on for them?

What next:

• Do you need to encourage more of this kind of play for the children in your setting? What kind of technology do you have available for children to use in their play? How do you encourage children’s friendships?