Posted by Magnus Smith on October 24, 2014 at 04:27:23 user Magnus.
In Reply to: Re: Childish behaviour posted by Adam Quinan on October 24, 2014 at 03:49:41:
Just to clarify: I started this discussion as I saw two distinct levels of play (in S&A and in real life too). There is the "mucking about" sort of play which can seem aimless to a grown-up, or can involve toys. Then there is the "serious" play where a child mimics a grown-up activity, and moves away from toys and bedrooms.
Most of what the S&As do is "serious" in that they are using full-size boats on a real lake, even when they are pretending to explore/fight/etc.
I daresay some psychologist has classified the levels of play with proper terminology and studies to back them up. I just happened to look at my daughter's porridge the other morning, and consider the Alma Cottage race, which set me thinking.
Ransome must have had a pretty accurate idea of how children work, because we've just listed all the times when Roger acted his age. Pulling up Dick with a jerk on the rope is a perfect example!