Children make a lot of choices as they play.  This is why I include large blocks of free-choice play in our kindergarten day. This allows children to  decide what they explore, who they will play with and what they might create or do.

I was reflecting on some photos of the play in our kindergarten day from this past week and I noticed the theme of representation.  First, I noticed that a number of children were exploring writing.  Writing in kindergarten might not look like what you would expect – letters and words, rather, it could be painting, drawing and of course letters and words.  Here are a few pictures of the children experiencing different types of writing through their play this week.

I also noticed many children telling stories while they played. Telling stories is a steppingstone for writing.  Story telling allows the child to identify the characters, setting, problem, sequence of events and the conclusion. In our classroom, storytelling might immediately lead to a drawing or writing or it may not.  Sometimes it is necessary for children to revisit the play to continue the story, revise it or elaborate on it.  I strive to have multiple invitations that I like to call small world play for children to practice this important skill -all through play. 

Amanda Morgan writes on her blog www.notjustcute.com that “everytime we engage children with their hands and eyes, we are helping to prepare them to write.”  She adds “while some people think the best way for children to write is to sit down and write, child development tells us otherwise”.

Happy Teaching and Learning

Lynda