SWC #5: Play in the Early Years, Pt 2

As we delve further into play in the early years, Sean Walker poses that there are different types of stories that we want learners to engage with.  In the beginning, learners will be interested in predictable stories with repeating patterns, familiar words, and story flow.  There is no real mystery about what is going to happen and the outcome.   For some reason, the book There was an Old Woman who Swallowed a ... came to my mind.  We all know the format of the text and we just need different items to change it from a Halloween to a Valentine's Day story.  

Predictable stories do get a bad rap for being boring.  But it's through the repetition that learners become more skilled in identifying patterns and replicate them in future reading and writing experiences. 

When thinking about predictable stories with play, this can come with the usage of the same materials, spaces, and routines.  Learners love predictability when they are about to make changes.  They know they can count on something to be the same, so they can take a risk.  

Other times, they are ready to take a risk by engaging with an invitation.  Below is a playful invitation where learners are using a variety of materials to create a story.  How the story plays out is strictly up to the young learner.  Isn't that exciting in itself? 

Once learners feel comfortable with predictable stories, they can engage with a wider range of patterns, characters settings, and plot twists.  Learners are willing to take risks to shape a new storyline that they have yet to explore.  This is all about using the materials, spaces, and places in a new way.  

The exciting stories are equally important in play.  They allow learners to become more experimental in their approach and see beyond what is in front of them. 

Personally, I love the analogy of play being like a story.  I've always struggled with play versus playfulness, but this example helps me to break it down into its unique parts and purposes.  

A big thanks to Sean Walker for capturing our attention through play about play.  I can't wait to learn more on Saturday, January 18, 2025 with Sean and Anne van Dam this in Berlin.  If you want to join, here is the link.  

My learning goal this year is to create a more responsive learning space and this workshop is perfect for me.  Even as a third-grade teacher, I want the classroom to shape the story for my learners.