“Communication is much more than understanding language, speaking, reading, and writing. It is the skill of determining what one wants to communicate and realizing how our communications will be understood by others.” -Ellen Gallinsky
In the Building Space, we start with discussion and creating a blueprint. This group’s plans included: A castle for cats, zebras, dogs, and for Bowser. The following dialogue portrays the children’s abilities to listen and respond connecting their ideas and work together.
Miro: I’m building the walls of the castle.
Zelda: It needs windows.
Everly: I’m building the towers.
Miro: A dragon flag.
Leah: No! A cat flag!
Teacher Flora: Sounds like you have two ideas to add. How can you make it work?
Leah: I know! We can have both!
Miro: Yeah! And we can have lava!
Leah: We are in Bowser’s castle!
Miro: I’m Bowser.
Everly: And I’m kitty cat. MEOW MEOW.
Leah: I’m the mommy kitty.
Zelda: I like zebras.
Everly: We’re home now.
Miro: No we’re not! We’re still in lava! We can pretend.
When discussing before playing, we notice the following play moves smoothly and with fewer conflicts. In addition, their building becomes more purposeful and intentional in the placement of blocks. In this case, they use the double and hollow blocks to create the castle walls around the platform leaving an open space in the middle for them to live in. This experience validates the building of communication skills through the children’s sharing of their personal interests with each other and their ability to connect through commonalities within dramatic play – Teacher Flora -October 2, 2016.