Exploring the Contribution of Videotaped Documentation to Children's Symbolic Play

Abstract

This study explored how documentation contributed to children's symbolic play. The naturally occurring symbolic play of two children, five-years-old, was videotaped in their classroom for four weeks. Edited segments of their symbolic play were then given to the children to revisit and reflect on with the researcher through questions on themes, roles and object substitutions. Each child participated in three interview sessions. The children's thoughts on themes, roles, object substitutions, pretense and play negotiation were described. The children's symbolic play in the classroom and during the interviews was described in relation to the claims of documentation. The role of documentation in children's symbolic play was discussed. Recommendations for future use of documentation and children's symbolic play were made.