36-42 Months: Child to Child -- Observation Record

How does the preschooler play with other children?

Preschoolers participate in play that includes give-and-take with others. They begin to plan together, take turns, and maintain ongoing friendships. They're more apt to play with a small number of specific children, and often want to play with only one friend.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Trade off–switch colored markers with another child.
• Play at life–join in pretend play with other children, such as playing house and assigning Mommy, Daddy, and Baby roles.
• Claim his place–call to a friend, "It's my turn," while running to get on the swing.
• Create fantasies–say to several classmates, "Let's pretend we're all clowns in the circus and do funny things."
• Act silly–engage in an activity with friends that quickly turns into laughing and joking together.

How does this preschooler act with other children? (Include dates.)

How does the preschooler show that he understands how other children feel?

Preschoolers respond to other children's feelings and know that their own actions and words can affect others. Their behavior often leads to conflicts, but with adult help they begin to learn how to solve or prevent these arguments.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Make a reasonable plan–tell the child riding the truck, "I'll have my turn on the truck now and then you can have it back."
• Give orders–tell a classmate that he can join the others in the dramatic play area, but only if he'll be the baby.
• Find it hard to share–gather all the blocks into a pile and tell another child that there aren't any left for him to play with.
• Relate to a friend–look upset when a friend spills his juice and run to get a sponge to help wipe it up.
• Talk about feelings–tell the teacher that Rene is sad because his hamster died last night, and that makes him feel sad, too.

In what ways does this preschooler show he understands how other children feel? (Include dates.)