Jerome Bruner

1. Jerome Bruner
Munira Mohamed

2. Play as rehearsal
• Play allows children to understand the world
around them and to develop abilities.
• Children use play to try out their new abilities
and knowledge by putting into action
(Baker, B., Beith, K., Byers, E., Daly, M., Forbes,
S., Griffin, S., Marshall, H., 2012:320)

3. Bruner’s theory
Bruner developed a model for the way children
turn experiences into knowledge
The 3 stages of the model is;
1. Enactive mode – children represent and understand
using physical actions. They act out experiences to
learn & remember
2. Iconic – children will use one thing to represent
something else or create their own images
3. Symbolic – children are able to represent and
understand the world round them using words &
ideas. They don't need to act out or use objects when
expressing experience
Baker, B. Et Al, 2102:321

4. Scaffolding
• Bruner believed that children have existing
knowledge and other children & adults add
new learning. This is known as scaffolding.
Baker, B. Et Al, 2102:321

5. Impact on practice
• Activities like role play with cookery items and
real world equipment
• Practitioners demonstrate an activity for the
children and observe them
• If the child needs support, the practitioner
supports them but gradually lets them become
independent
• When the child reaches the goal, the practitioner
provides more goals to help with childs
development

6. Bibliography
• Baker, B., Beith, K., Byers, E., Daly, M., Forbes,
S., Griffin, S., Marshall, H. (2012) CACHE Level
3 Extended Diploma Children and Young
People’s Workforce, London, Pearson
Education Limited