Today was the first time we actually got to play with children. We constructed a play pocket themed “Bug City,” surrounded by pre-existing magical vines, a fort made from nearby forest matter, and some structures that looked a little like bug homes. In the pocket, we had some bug costume objects, magnifying glasses and bug boxes. Our intention was to be as hands-off as possible, and we didn’t really know what to expect…
The third group of kids to enter was three kids: two boys and one girl, ages 6, 6, and 3. Before we could do anything, they had started to deconstruct the path to build a life-size teepee! Quickly, Bug City was under siege, by one of the kids and Sarah (one of our playworkers), attacking another child and Kaitlyn—the good bugs, the playworkers’ roles having been assigned by the kids.
The youngest child chose to dig in the dirt, searching for worms or anything else living under ground. He was curious about what he might find, and began to discover some potential living space! As he dug, he asked Molly to help him, and to also look at what he was finding.
Soon, though, the dramatic play surrounding him threw some of the warring bugs into jail (the fort), and he jumped in to free them with his special protective powers.
However, once safe again, he returned to his digging and investigating. The ability of this young child to pass between focused investigation and involvement in the dramatic play was incredible. And the imaginative power of all three children, as well as the clear role they wanted us playworkers to play in their game felt so right.
Molly, Sarah, Kaitlyn
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