Um!
Does it mean discussing when children use a brick as if it was a phone and therefore use their imagination?
The children are always using toys in different ways than we would expect - boxes become boats to sail in to distant lands, the sand tray becomes a dinosaur park and absolutely anything can be used as a gun apparently!!
We shouldn't try to limit the toys uses (except the guns, maybe!) as children can learn so much during role-play - working with others... an amazing amount of new, different language... turn taking...problem solving... empathy for others... decision making...knowledge exchange between peers...
As for the scope - it's endless! It is only restricted by the children's imagination!
This poem sums it up for me:
Just Playing
by Anita Wadley 1979
When I am building in the block room,
please don't say I'm
"just playing".
For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
setting the table, caring for the babies,
don't get the idea I'm
"just playing".
For, you see, I'm learning as I play;
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel,
or molding and shaping clay,
please don't let me hear you say, "She's
just playing".
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
please don't laugh and think I'm
"just playing".
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
don't pass it off as
"just play".
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school,
please don't feel the time is wasted in
"play".
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
please don't think that because I enjoy it,
it is
"just play".
I'm learning to follow direction and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
please don't say I'm
"just playing".
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
and I say,
"I just played",
please don't misunderstand me.
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.
Hope that gets you started!:reading:
K2d93...what!!!!!!
& 
Linear Mode
