Types of play: 

Guided play

Guided play is when an adult takes an active supporting role in children’s play, to guide them towards exploration that develops learning towards specific curriculum learning statements. In guided play, children still keep some control of their own learning.

Watch this video to see examples of guided play: 

      

Video transcript - Guided play

You might observe child-initiated play and decide spontaneously to turn it into guided play by making suggestions, or asking questions, which help children to think about what they are doing.

For example, if children are playing with a role-play shop you might:

• encourage a child to use their mark making or early writing skills to write a shopping list to take to the shop so they know what to buy
• ask a child 'How many apples do you need?' to promote counting.

You can also plan guided play opportunities. You might provide specific resources which shape children’s choices. Or you might explain a playful activity, or a problem to solve, and then step back and observe.

• if a child wants to create an image of their favourite animal, you might give them a selection of art materials that encourage them to think about texture as well as more visual features such as colour
• you might ask children to create a large model of an animal, such as an elephant, using anything they can find in the classroom.

Through guided play, you can encourage your children to try things that go beyond their current interests and preferences. It also helps you to ensure that every child feels included and gets equal opportunities to play.

If adult input limits choices and takes control over children’s own exploration and learning, guided play becomes an adult-led activity.