# data[].attributes.body
Over the past two weeks I completed face to face placement in regional Victoria, with 4 year old boy Leo. Three days a week for two weeks, I would drive to Leo’s home and complete placement from morning until early afternoon. Whilst completing placement in Leo’s home I soon got to know Leo and he’s interests. Leo loves to play with LEGO, he loves to build things out of wood and hammer things. He likes to build car ramps. Race cars and enjoys playing with playdoh as Leo is a hands on learner although he is not so creative with crafts such as painting and drawing.

# data[].attributes.body
What are the benefits of group play on children’s social skills?

When conducting placement with Leo, one of the days we attended Leo’s local park where he was able to see his neighbourhood friends. I could see Leo was so happy to see and play with his peers, which makes myself wonder, what are the benefits of group play on children’s social skills?

# data[].attributes.body
Leo loves to play with play dough, therefore I decided we could make our very own play dough at home.

Leo helped me to create the play dough by measuring out ingredients and combining them. Once the

play dough was made Leo choose two colours blue and green to dye the dough these are Leo’s favourite

colours. As Leo played with the play dough, I was able to observe him. Leo already had play dough toys

where he was able to create ‘foods’ with the dough such as ‘spaghetti’ and ‘ice-cream’ creating pretend

play with play dough. Leo chose to play ‘restaurants’ with the play food, where I was the customer and

Leo was the chef. Pretend play is usually a re-enactment from what a child may have already observed

# data[].attributes.body
Building with LEGO is one of Leo’s favourite things to do and play with, as Leo loves anything LEGO.

Through observing Leo playing and building with his LEGO I noticed that LEGO promotes fine motor

skills. Whilst Leo is playing, I can see that he is practicing ‘dexterity’ as Leo connects LEGO pieces of

different sizes and shapes. By doing this activity it requires Leo to create different amounts of pressure

to assemble and becomes a great exercise for his little fingers which then supports him in being able to

control the pressure when he is writing and drawing. I can also notice that the various shapes, colours,

and sizes of the LEGO can be used to construct many different designs such as building a fire station,

house or even a spacecraft. Building on Leo’s imagination as there is no limits when building with LEGO.

# data[].attributes.body
Leo and I walked to the local park, this is a spot where Leo often goes with, his older brother mum and

dad. Once we arrived at the park Leo could already spot two of, his friends from his neighbourhood. I

can see that Leo is a very social, friendly, and energetic child, as soon as we got to the park he ran to go

and play with his peers. The children all took turns to go down the slide and asked me to push them on

the swing. I can see the children are once again participating in pretending play through the slides and

the tunnels. I believe they are pretending to fly a spaceship with the wheels on the playground. I can

hear the children making noises as they conduct their pretend play, ‘ready for launch off’ says one child, ‘yes captain’ says another, ‘ZOOM into space’ they both say. This is a great way for children to

play as it expands on their imagination and social skills. The children may have seen something like this before through cartoon shows and are now reenacting through play.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ordinary moment 1: Pretend play with play dough

# data[].attributes.subject
Ordinary moment 1: Pretend play with play dough

# data[].attributes.headline
Ordinary Moment 2: Building and playing with LEGO

# data[].attributes.subject
Ordinary Moment 2: Building and playing with LEGO

# data[].attributes.headline
Ordinary moment 2: Playing on the swing at the park

# data[].attributes.subject
Ordinary moment 2: Playing on the swing at the park

# data[].attributes.body
Whilst conducting face to face placement with 4 year old Leo, I could see that Leo was showing many signs of a child’s cognitive development. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that children move through four different stages of mental development. Piaget’s theory focuses not only on understanding how children acquire knowledge, but also on understanding the nature of intelligence. Piaget’s four stages are

1. Sensorimotor stage: birth to 2 years

2. Preoperational stage: 2 to 7 years

3. Concrete operational stage: 7 to 11 years

4. Formal operational stage: ages 12 and up

When conducting placement with 4 year old Leo, I look closely into preoperational stage this stage is where children are thinking at a symbolic level but are not yet using cognitive operations. And this can be shown through my observation of ordinary moments, whilst Leo is playing with LEGO.

# data[].attributes.body
Sean Mcleod, Jean Piaget’s Theory and stages of Cognitive Development; Simply Psychology, viewed October 2020 < https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html >

# data[].attributes.body
Montessori Theory is an approach to learning developed by Maria Montessori where the key principles are Independence, Observation, Following the Child, Correcting the Child, Prepared Environment and Absorbent Mind. The Montessori Theory approach, concepts and foundation principles can be applied across all ages. This theory is shown though the ordinary moments choose as I follow Leo and observe the child’s play.

# data[].attributes.body
Montessori Method, Learning Theories, viewed October 2020, < https://www.learning-theories.com/montessori-method-montessori.html >

# data[].attributes.body
Whilst conducting my face to face placement with 4 year old boy Leo, I created many activities to not only occupied Leo but also to educate him. I now know after completing placement there is a lot of learning out there for the children, other learning that is possible is included in many of the theorist own theories. My question at the beginning states, What are the benefits of group play on children’s social skills? I now know the that group play has fantastic benefits for the development of  children’s social skills. Children will be able to learn more about speech and how to use it to get what they want or need. As well as children will learn more about mixing, compromising and sharing with others.