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Miscellaneous Physical Play Pretending to be dogs

Functions
Chasing Game, Imaginary Play and Physical Play
Alternative Names
  • Puppy master and Cat master (At School 18)
  • Wolves (At School 03)

Pretending to be dogs was a form of dramatic/imaginative play seen at some schools.

Details

School 17

One of the three girls playing the game was on her hands and knees in the sandpit and barking like a dog at two other students, who in turn were barking back. This lasted for about ten minutes until the play erupted into a chasing game though without any formal rules. As they were chasing each other they continued to bark and pretend to be dogs.

A version of this game is played at other schools.

At School 04

Players: 5
Boyss
Age: 8

'Playing dogs' - imaginative physical play on grassed area. Involves rolling crawling and 'woofing'. One player is 'in a steel cage'. One player is also the owner. The play extends into sand area surrounding adventure play equipment. There is crawling on the sand and digging with hands. (Map Ref:A1)

At School 03

Players: 4
Girls
Age: 10

and

Players: 3
Girls
Age: 9

Play equipment area. Imaginative play. Dog family, barking, puppies, growling, Kelpies.

And


Players: 5
Girls
Age: 9-11

"Puppy Dogs": girls running about. One girl is in training, the other girls are sheep dogs


A version called 'Wolves' is also played:

Mum, dad, cubs. Wolves run around the house (play equipment), cubs drink milk from mother's 'tummy boobies'.

Players: 3
Girls
Age: 9

At School 18

Players: 3
Girls
Age: 8

Fantasy. Walking on hands and feet across asphalt, barking like a dog. Other child holds imaginary 'lead'. Painted turtle shell on asphalt is the sea.

A further version found at School 18:

Players: 4
Girls
Age: 5

Puppy master and Cat Master. R explains that she has come to the vet because she has lost her bark.

Related Imaginative Play

Related Miscellaneous Activities