Play in the classroom

U25510 who-is-at UICVM.CC.UIC.EDU
Fri, 5 Jan 1996 10:53:44 CST

The discussion about carnival reminded me of some research findings that may
be relevant to ideas about its implementation in the classroom. Schwartzman
(1978) in her anthropological study of play found that preschool age children's
pretend play roles and interactions reflect the dynamics of their non-play
interactions. For example, a girl who dominated other children during non-play
activities dominated them during play activities also-- she entered the play
groups and adopted pretend roles as she wished much unlike other children.
In our work focusing on preschool children's activities with their peers and
teachers, we have been learning that play does not necessarily allow children
to have equal status with their peers. Among many things we are finding out
one is consistent with Schwartzman's findings. One of the teachers told us
that she does not allow children to adopt animal roles in pretend play because
often children who are "victimized" by their peers are allocated such roles.
Or, they become victimized after they adopt such roles. It seems that
power-relations exist in play also. Artin Goncu