Children's Play Observation

For the observations conducted, I am basing them off Parten’s study of children’s play. In this study, children were viewed for one minute each day and “each time they were observed, their degree of social participation was characterized” (Bateman and Goodman) using Parten’s six levels of social participation. The participants of these observations interacted differently based on what kind of play they engaged in and their age showcased the difference in play in which the participants became involved in. At around the ages of two to three years old, children are more likely to engage in solitary independent play, in which the child plays alone and focuses solely on one activity. Solitary independent play is more common at younger ages. As …show more content…
Children focus heavily on language in order to communicate with each other. “Social knowledge is required because the child must access where the attention of the addressee is engaged” (Ervin-Tripp and Gordon). During play and when children speak to each other, they are exposed to nonconventional instrumental moves (NCIs) and conventional instrumental moves (CIs). A main difference between children is that there is a “change between 2 ½ and 4 ½ years were an increase in conventional requests, which, like imperatives, are clear about the agent, action, and goals” (Ervin-Tripp and Gordon). This means that as children grow older and their language developments, they are able to express their needs and wants more clearly. The final area of development that this observation will focus on is the Separate Worlds Theory (SWH). This theory states that girls and boys play in separated groups and engage in different activities. “Boys’ games are characterized as competitive, active, and aggressive [whilst] girls are more cooperative, passive, and verbal and lacking complex social structure” (Lecture, 5/3/2016). There is more of a gender difference between children rather than an age difference. However, based on the observations made, both of the children showcased behaviors which help assert the claims introduced with the SWH …show more content…
At this time, the children are being dropped off in school by the parents. Since not all of the students are present, the children who are present engage with their teachers or become involved in solitary play. Once more children start arriving, the teachers lead children to various activities. For both occasions that I was present at the center, the day primarily consisted of outside play time. I followed the two children to various places around the yard and observed them as they engaged with their peers. Some of the activities that the children became involved in throughout the morning included: eating their morning snack, playing in the sandbox, riding bikes, playing on the climber and the swings. I had to write down everything the children said while in play, whether they were alone or interacting with their peers. All of these field notes were written in a small