Work in Progress Signs: How Children Make Choices About When to Finish an Activity or a Game
Crossroads and Killygordon Community Playgroup is a part-time morning service. The children are aged two years and eight months to five years and are in two rooms.
• At the start of each year, the educators make laminated ‘Work in Progress’ signs for the children in both playrooms.
• During Circle Time, educators explain to the children that these are signs that a child can put on a game, drawing or other activity if they need to take a break, go to the toilet, or have a snack. The sign indicates that they have not finished the activity and that no one should touch their work while they are away.
• They invite the children to decorate the signs with stickers or to draw on them.
• The signs are put in a special shelf or box and the children can take a sign any time they need one.
• Educators encourage children to use the work in progress signs, which can stay on an activity or toy for as long as children want. If toys or activities are very popular, educators encourage children to take turns and use 3- or 5 minute timers to negotiate a finishing up time with children.
How the babies, toddlers and young children were ensured SPACE, VOICE, AUDIENCE and INFLUENCE
Space: 
| The children feel safe to express their views because the educators invite them to use the work in progress signs when they want or need to take a break from an activity or a game. Educators listen to children’s requests for a work in progress sign throughout the day. All children are invited to use the work in progress signs whenever they want, and if a child is playing with a game or toy for a long time, educators will use a timer to negotiate with the child so other children can play with that game. |
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Voice:
| Educators encourage children to use the work in progress signs and make sure they support those who might struggle to get a turn with a game or activity. Children know that they can ask for or take out a work in progress sign if they need to go to the toilet, have a snack or go for a nap. Children can indicate that they want the work in progress sign by asking for a sign, or by taking a sign from the shelf. |
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Audience:
| The educators show the children that they are ready and willing to listen to their views about when to finish a game or activity by encouraging the option of using the work in progress signs. The educators discuss with children that they can use a work in progress sign at any time, but that sometimes they need to enable other children to get a turn with games and activities by agreeing on a time limit. |
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Influence:
| Children know how to be in control of when to finish an activity or game by using the work in progress signs. Educators give feedback to children by negotiating with those who are playing with a toy or game for a long time when other children would like to play with the same toy or game. This way, all children get an equal chance to play games or activities. Children know about the impact of their decisions because they can make choices about when to finish games and activities. If other children would like to play with a particular toy or game, it may be necessary for the educators to negotiate with children and support turn-taking. The child suggests a three- or five-minute time limit to finish up, and the educator sets a timer. |
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