| This study focuses on the level and characteristics of role play of children aged 5-6 under mixed-age background,and explores the supporting strategies of mixed-age environment for children’s role play in mixed-age interaction.The researcher took 24 children aged 5-6 years old from two mixed-age classes in Chengdu F kindergarten as the research objects,and assessed the overall level of role-playing by using Smilansky Scale for the Evaluation of Dramatic and Sociodramatic Play.Combined with the evaluation dimensions of role-playing by Smilansky and Vygosky schools,the characteristics of role-playing for children aged 5-6 years old were analyzed from the aspects of make-believe with objects,imitative role play,persistence in role play,social interaction,verbal communication.This study found that: Smilansky Scale for the Evaluation of Dramatic and Sociodramatic Play scores show that children aged 5-6 in the mixed-age background have a higher level of role play,with a total score of 13.In terms of each element,imitative role play,persistence,interaction and verbal communication all scored above 2 points,which was at a high level.Make-believe with objects,make-believe with actions and situations also scored close to 2 points.The researchers analyzed role-playing for children aged 5-6 from the dimensions of make-believe with objects,imitative role play,persistence in role play,social interaction,verbal communication.The data showed that role-playing for children aged 5-6 presented the following characteristics:(1)Substituting things for things is based on the principle of "multiple substitution of one thing",can make props to meet the needs of role play;(2)Various types of role play,and half of children often play multifaceted roles;(3)The play lasted for a long time,and half of the children could stick to the same theme across several days or even a semester,play is enriched by repeated changes;(4)Frequent interaction,interaction to multi-player cooperation,development of the plot of the play;(5)The metacommunicative language is rich,it creates imaginary scenarios by planning the plot of the play,and "writes" fantasy stories full of planning.Researcher have found that mixed-age environments can support role-play development in young children.Children can activate each other’s “proximal development zone” in the play,and older children have a more prominent influence on younger children:(1)In terms of play invitation and join,the older children often take the initiative to invite the younger to play together,which provides opportunities for the younger to learn and imitate;(2)In terms of role discussion and allocation,older children have the initiative in role allocation,and they can experience different roles with the help of the play context to meet the needs of both sides of the play.The maintenance of role space clarifies the role behaviors of younger children;(3)In terms of the identification and use of substitutes,elders not only share their experience with object pretending directly,but also correct and demonstrate when the younger ones use them incorrectly;(4)In the reminding of the rules of the play,the older children’s reminding enhanced the young children’s ability of play persistence and self-regulation.In short,the older children provide role models and examples for the younger children in the role play,and the younger children are also willing to accept the guidance and advice of the older children.However,there are some older children’s behavior is not always equal and friendly,which needs the teacher’s observation and guidance.This study puts forward the following suggestions:(1)Kindergartens should create mixed-age interactive play opportunities to improve children’s role play level;(2)Kindergartens should provide sufficient playing time to deepen "teaching" and "learning" in mixed-age play;(3)Kindergarten teachers should encourage mixed-age play and provide timely guidance;(4)Kindergarten teachers should take a correct view of repetition in children’s play. |
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