Tina BruceBy Fiona Murphy and Holly Matthews

A brief description of the theory

1. Bruce believes that play is an active process rather than something that reaches a goal or produces a product, and that providing toys is not necessary because children can come up with their own props using simple materials such as sticks and pebbles. According to Bruce, adults should support and facilitate play but not be in charge of it; children should be allowed to be in charge of a free-flowing form of play, making up rather than following rules, and coordinating the various play-agendas of all involved. https://www.reference.com/family/tina-bruce-s-theory-play-505755d8a4722f4b

The Twelve Features of Play Children use first hand experiences from life Children make up rules as they play in order to keep control Children symbolically represent as they play, making and adapting play props. Children choose to play - they cannot be made to play. Children rehearse their future in their role play. Children sometimes play alone Children pretend when they play. Children play with adults and other children cooperatively in pairs or groups. Children have a personal play agenda, which may or may not be shared. Children are deeply involved and difficult to distract from their deep learning as

they wallow in their play and learning. Children try out their most recently acquired skills and competences, as if

celebrating what they know. Children coordinate ideas and feelings and make sense of relationships with their

families, friends and cultures

Positives

Children are making their own resources

It doesn’t expect too much of children, it is based around things they should be doing anyway

It refers to different areas of learning

Negatives It is fairly basic, much of

it should be obvious to people who work with children

Not all of her points apply to all children – not all will rehearse their exact future, and some will naturally prefer to play alone and some gravitate towards playing with others

The Positives and Negatives of the Theory

Examples of the Theory in Practice

In my placement, I have seen children using first-hand experiences and rehearsing their future through role-play – they often play dress-up and act out being doctors or police officers.

Often, children sat alone to play, even when encouraged to join in. Children who were feeling unwell would often sit down and not participate.

I have seen children adapt their play props – a necklace has been put on a toy plate in place of food.