Encouraging the children to recall what they did last week in their own words gave us further insight into the learning behind their play and where they were taking it. We gave them chance to watch the video of the last session, and tell us what they were doing in their own words, before encouraging them to start to plan todays session, listing the materials they would need and where they needed to play to carry their ideas out.

They chose to revisit the construction materials, and we provided some extra recycled materials from the scrap store, working on the field again, where a stronger narrative and role-play element came through, as bowls were filled for imaginary dogs and the sensory experience of moulding cut grass let to the creation of a production line to mix food for them.

The group negotiated roles amongst their team of ‘workers’ and ideas flowed, triggered by the new materials added and the features of the field around them.