Emily and Maya both have a big interest in role playing – especially with the pots, pans, wooden food, babies and ‘mum/dad/baby’ play scenarios.
Because of this shared interest I often spot them playing alongside each other (Emily comes on Thursdays and Fridays). Today, instead of just next to each other, I found the girls giggling with each other as they mixed up the fruit in each others pans. Their friendship has begun to develop further from being just peers, to becoming friends.
Children begin playing as parallel play – this means they play happily next to a person but often doing ‘their own thing’, as children become more aware and social skills develop, their play becomes ‘parallel aware play’ and they begin interacting with their play buddies through looks, smiles, laughing, copying, chatting and more. Maya is comfortable with Emily, so lets herself relax, chat and laugh, and their developing friendship has enabled a shift in their play to become more interactive with each other.
We will continue to support Maya’s growing friendship with Emily, and developing new friendships with her peers.
