Look and learn

Scenario

Neena (four years 11 months) and Janeika (three years 11 months) are playing alongside each other in the block area. Neena creates an enclosure with an opening and places some toy animals inside. She asks a practitioner, who shares her first language, to help her find an arched block. Janeika is using the only one. The practitioner suggests Neena ask for the block, modelling the correct language in English. Neena asks, but Janeika is reluctant. Neena tries to create an arch with other blocks but none are suitable. Janeika is watching and calls to Neena in English (her only language) 'Wanna play me?' Neena looks up but doesn't reply. Janeika asks again and gestures to the blocks and people she has arranged in lines on the floor. Janeika tries to take one of Neena's animals and Neena yells and pushes her away. Janeika makes a roof for her structure. Neena attempts to do the same, unsuccessfully. She begins to watch Janieka, who goes over and positions the blocks more carefully to make a roof. Neena lets her do this and then extends the structure with more blocks. Janeika brings some small world people and puts them inside the 'house' and Neena begins to play with them. The girls continue to play co-operatively. John and Nathan come into the block area and the girls leave together, almost immediately.