Knowing How to Intervene
Teachers need to be careful observers of the group dynamics to know when and how to intervene in a way that will strengthen children’s social skills and facilitate friendships. Begin by noticing which children enjoy playing together and what they like to play with. Are children able to play together for long uninterrupted periods of time, or do they constantly seek adults or other peers to mediate squabbles? Do children have opportunities to share their ideas and try out new props or roles? Has their play become predictable or are children building their repertoire of play scripts?