Social Origins of Make-Believe Play Amanda Stearns Amanda Stearns

Definition of Make-Believe Play

Pretending to do activities which a child has seen or been told about in a fun playful way

Vygotsky’s View

Make believe play is a unique broadly influential zone of proximal development

Vygotsky’s View Make-believe play is a unique broadly influential zone of proximal development Children advance themselves as they try new skills through play

Central Source of Development for Preschoolers

Children learn to act in accord with inner ideas

Central Source of Development for Preschoolers Children learn to act in accord with inner ideas Strengthens ability to think before acting

Piaget’s View

Children practice and strengthen newly acquired representational schemes

Symbolic Mastery

1. Play decreases from the real-life conditions associated with it.

Symbolic Mastery 1. Play decreases from the real-life conditions associated with it. 2. Play becomes less self-centered.

Symbolic Mastery 1. Play decreases from the real-life conditions associated with it. 2. Play becomes less self-centered. 3. Play gradually includes more complex schemes.

Controversy Piaget Children begin make-believe play spontaneously around the age of two.

Controversy Piaget Children begin make-believe play spontaneously around the age of two. Vygotsky Children learn make-believe play through guided efforts.

Vygotsky’s view is currently the preferred view.

Make-Believe Play Enhances:

Supports proximal development

Make-Believe Play Enhances: Supports proximal development Social Competence

Make-Believe Play Enhances: Supports proximal development Social Competence Promotes cognitive and emotional development

Make-Believe Play Enhances: Supports proximal development Social Competence Promotes cognitive and emotional development Concentration and Inner Security

Provide materials so children can pretend to do what you do Give students red pencils and let them grade papers Fill your classroom with objects that promote pretending

Questions???? How does poverty affect these theories? How does poverty affect these theories? Do you remember your favorite made up game? Do you remember your favorite made up game?

References pdf pdf pdf pdf ay.htm ay.htm ay.htm ay.htm Berk, L. (2006) Child Development, , Berk, L. (2006) Child Development, ,