y imitation. Piaget found four levels in ways children play, egocentric being one of them. (Kamii, 23) Most of Megan’s activities were done alone at her own time and pace. Megan’s actions fit into the age group of Piaget’s play level, which helps contribute to autonomy.Autonomy cold be described when people have there own convictions about what is right or wrong under a particular set of circumstances. (Kamii, 15) Megan has to give her smock up to Joey because it is his turn. She is really upset that she has to get up because of the frown that appears. (observation, 4-3-02,10:50a.m.) By Megan having to give up her place at the messy corner when Joey came over, it help promote freedom as an individual to do it by herself. The teachers also help promote autonomy by letting the children find their name on their place-mates, which allows the child to think for themselves in finding the right place to sit at. Megan stands up and throws away most of her leftover food in the trash and then puts her place-mate up. She then walks over to the learning circle looking for her name on the place-mate. (observation, 4-1-02, 10:24a.m.) According to Piaget, cooperation with other individuals permits the development of the morality of autonomy. (Kamii, 16) By this, he means that with a teacher or parents help, the child could come to their own conclusion by de-centering and seeing the other people’s point of view. (Kamii, 16) After Chris explains the different activities the kids have to choose from, the kids are told to go play. (observation, 4-1-02, 10:32a.m.) Megan is playing with the cylinder blocks. Megan is handing Mason different pieces of blocks to Mason as he places them on the floor. Mason is standing the blocks up in a certain way while he tells Megan which block he wants next. (observation, 4-1-02, 10:38am) This example demonstrates how Megan can make her own decision on what interest her most. Sometim...
