ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some particular play sequences involving cup, bell and block play, mark making and small world activity. It highlights, by showing children of different ages interacting with the same materials, the ways in which play changes over time. The chapter provides a brief summary of each play sequence with reference to theories of play and child development. Piaget considered the early stages of object permanence would appear. Children's first drawings are often of people and are relatively uniform in their presentation, comprising a circular body with facial features, and arms and legs stemming off. These are often termed tadpole figures or cephalopods. Piaget proposed that changes in cognition and understanding facilitated the development of language skill. In contrast, Vygotsky suggested the reverse, that language development supported thinking skills. For Vygotsky, children first externalize their thought processes by talking through their actions. Then, over time, internal speech is used to guide behaviour.
