MARCH 3, 2024 – SESSION 6
an interest in the material due to natural curiosity.
LESSON 6 – ORCHESTRATING CHILDREN’S
PLAY: INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN
Choosing the Correct Strategy
In orchestrating play, teachers should consider
three goals: independence, easy use and
learning. To promote independence, they should
organize materials on their own and learn to use
environmental signs and symbols. For easy use,
teachers should organize materials and the area in
such way that children don’t need to transfer from
one place to another in order to gather the materials
they need. They should think like a child and
anticipate what the children will need if they want to
do a certain activity in an area and store materials
that go together. To promote learning, they should
also organize things in such a way that it will attract
children and elicit their interest. It should be
organized in a meaningful way and children will learn
new ideas just by looking around.
Concepts of Interactions with Children
Scaffolding and Pretend Play
Scaffolding can be used as a method for the
children to learn new skills in which first, the
teacher or adult will serve as a model while
demonstrating the skill. Next, the teacher gives
clues and asks open-ended question as the child is
trying out the said skill and lastly, the child withdraws
the support because he/she already mastered the
skill.
Pretend play on the other hand starts when
children observe other people doing their thing.
They begin to mimic these actions and play as if
someone or something is real. They may add more
detailed actions or create situations where there is
more going on that what is literally happening.
Spontaneous, guided and directed play
The kind of play in which children engage in self-
will and are not guided or directed by a teacher is
spontaneous play. This would involve their free
actions, and through this, children would be able to
express themselves.
Guided play is an important process that
improves the knowledge of children and
incorporates children’s cognitive, social and
motor skills. It also promotes skills and knowledge
through playful experiences. Children are placed in a
specific environment with things relating to an activity
in adult-guided play, and children will begin to take
Directed play is a learning process in which the
teacher directs children while playing. This may
include round of games where the teacher have
direct learners to the game rules and playing
methodology. Directed play contributes to the growth
of children’s knowledge and skills and it also
motivates them to improve performance.
Responding to Children’s Behavior
Teachers have roles and responsibilities in children’s
play; one of these is to respond to student’s
behavior during the play. This includes their
reactions, requests as well as the questions in line
with the kind of play they are exposed in for this is an
important part of teaching and learning. The teachers
should anticipate the behavior of the children
during the play for them to address these. Their
support and presence of mind are needed for the
children to be properly guided in the play and for the
objectives to be attained.
Play and the Culture of the School
Children are absorbing culture, customs and
practices from birth and incorporating this into their
play.
Learning about other cultures can also help
children by:
1. Promoting cultural awareness
2. Enhancing social skills
3. Developing cognitive skills
4. Language acquisition
5. Expanding creativity
6. Building a sense of identity
7. Fostering global citizenship
Cultural play might include:
1. World map puzzles
2. International cookbooks
3. Build a diverse doll collection
4. Embracing cultural celebrations