BUT WHAT DO I DO WHILE THEY’RE PLAYING?

TEACHER AS OBSERVER
– paying attention
– observing
– recording play by various means

TEACHER AS STAGE MANAGER
– making the play possible
– setting the physical environment
– creating order out of disorder
– providing props
– providing enough time

TEACHER AS MEDIATOR
– teaching conflict-resolution skills
– focusing on the content of the play rather than rule violation
– complicating play
– problem solving to sustain play

TEACHER AS PLAYER
– moving in and out of the play
– taking on various roles
– lending some expertise

TEACHER AS SCRIBE
– writing down their stories
– representing their play using various means
– sharing the representations
– modeling writing and drawing

TEACHER AS ASSESSOR AND COMMUNICATOR
– assessment as part of planning
– communicating to other adults and parents and children
– demonstrating accountability

TEACHER AS PLANNER

Source: B.Jones, & G. Reynolds, Teachers College Press 1992