Stretching their skills in construction play and dramatic play, children play to get better at it and they play to learn. To become a master player is the height of developmental achievement for children ages three to five. Master players are skilled at representing their experiences symbolically in self-initiated improvisational drama.
Children thrive on play.
Despite what some teachers think, play time is not when the teacher can turn her or his back to accomplish a few chores. Distinct teaching skills are required to support children's competence in play. Teachers in these roles know if their interventions in children's play have been supportive of children's growth when they see competence, sustained involvement and mastery of play. A mediator makes use of problem-solving strategies to sustain rather than interrupt play. When there is a conflict, teachers may tell a child to go to a quiet corner or chair to cool off.