The rabbit is eating the grass

Abstract

<p>One afternoon I was observing Mark, a four year old, using the software package TuxPaint on the kindergarten computer. He had created a farm with a sun, clouds, fences, grass and a rabbit. He then made up a story about the rabbit moving around the farm. He covered the rabbit with grass and then used the stamp tool to add another rabbit. Watching from a distance, I saw him using the eraser on the grass. I approached and asked him what he was doing and why he was erasing the grass. He replied (with an "isn't it obvious" look on his face), "The rabbit is eating the grass!" I was shocked, Mark had created a full dramatic play scenario, which included a rabbit actually eating grass. Dramatic play is possible on a computer, Mark taught me that.</p>