3/19/15  

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Developing Play in an Inclusion Setting

Tools of the Mind and Roanoke County Public Schools

Angela Alvis, MA.Ed Sharon Sheppard, Ed.S.

 

Jessica Johnson and Kyndal Smith, Preschool Teachers

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

Developmental Influences of Play

•  Creates Zone of Proximal Development for many areas of development

•  Facilitates separation of thought and action

•  Facilitates the development of self- regulation

•  Impacts motivation

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

During play children have…

•  More mature memory •  More mature attention •  More self-regulation

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

3 Components of Make-Believe Play

1.  Imaginary situation

2.  Role Play 3.  Roles have

rules

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

The Development of Play

The first signs of what Vygotskians would call

“play” emerge in typically developing children around 18

months of age when they begin to use

everyday objects, such as phones, in pretend

ways.

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

3/19/15  

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Why do some children have a hard time with play?

Prerequisites for play    

–  The ability to communicate with gestures, emotional expressions, symbols or words

–  The ability to engage in joint attention and imitation

–  The ability to be flexible and quickly adapt to change

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

Supports for Play

Make-­‐ Believe Play  

Make-­‐ Believe Play  

Environmental Supports (props, sensory baskets,

costumes)  

Environmental Supports (props, sensory baskets,

costumes)  

Play Support (scripts, visual schemas)  

Play Support (scripts, visual schemas)  

Teacher Support (modeling)  Teacher Support (modeling)  

Peer Support  Peer Support  

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

Building Basic Play Skills

•  Underlying cognitive Skills –  Imitation –  Joint attention –  Basic language –  Simple play scripts –  Symbolic substitution

Supports in Play Centers •  Environmental

support –  sensory materials –  Large central props –  Wearable props –  Visuals

•  Play support (scripts) •  Teacher support

(modeling) •  Peer support

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

Play  Themes  Tools  of  the  Mind  curriculum  has  five  set  

 themes  throughout  the  year.    v  Family  v  Grocery  

v  Restaurant  v  Doctor/Hospital  

v  Pet/Vet  

Tools of the Mind 2014 ©  

For  more  informaRon  visit  www.toolsoThemind.org