Provocation: Collaborative Play

Following are some video clips of cooperative/collaborative play between two children in my class, B (5) and L (4). This clip was taken on 11-15-09, about six weeks into the school year. These two particular children had not engaged in cooperative play together, as previously there had been a split between two boys (B & E) and two girls (K & N), with L primarily wandering.

Provocation: What are the inherent traits of cooperative/collaborative play? How do you encourage this type of play in your classroom? How do you deal with "subgrouping" between certain children?

Observations from Clip #1:

Negotiation- L says, "I need a big one" and B tells her "It will not fit there." They negotiate on how many blocks are needed before it is considered "finished". L was allowed to act as the lead, "This is the door....this can be a castle"

Observations from Clip #2:

I love the excitement in their voices & their body language, especially when L. mimics B rubbing his hands together. B builds on L's earlier comment, "It's a car castle". The two work together to find a solution when the car does not fit. B knows how to access resources, "We need people..." B shows excellent self regulation when the "car castle" falls down, "It's okay, we can still make it."

Observations from Clip #3

B becomes more directive, but there is still negotiation..."No, they can not go there. But they can go..." L. doesn't hesitate to make her ideas known, but does not object when B disregards them. L expresses a desire to share her work, "I want to show my mom this". B shows an understanding of a basic selecting game, "Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish..." and count to 10.

N. was an onlooker throughout this entire activity, how could she have been encouraged to join their play?