Moral imagination: creating affective values through toddlers' joint play

There has been a major international focus on researching young children's play and pedagogical support for learning. However, less attention has been given to the role of moral imagination and the way it supports toddlers' joint play. Moral imagination, arguably, is important for the acknowledgement of toddlers' present perspectives and is needed to address challenges and conflicts in joint play. Adults with the capacity to create affective values regarding toddlers' motives in play, encourage and sustain joint play for learning. By analysing an example of toddlers' joint play with supportive adult engagement, this article investigates how moral imagination enables initiation and sustenance of joint play that also reshapes adult engagement.