The Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM) is an observational tool developed to focus on the process of play and has shown good reliability when watching videos of children playing. This study piloted use of the PCOM in ‘real time’ in a pre-school setting where 3-year-old children play. The results from two independent observers not familiar with the concept of the Play Cycle or the PCOM found good inter-rater reliability using Cohen Kappa (k) when observing play cues to form play cycles, as well as observing play cues within established play cycles. In addition, the recording of the nature of the play cues and play returns, the play frame and how the play cycle finishes (annihilation) were shown to be consistent between the two inter-rater observers. The results of this pilot study indicate the PCOM can be used as an observational tool to record the process of play by both students and practitioners working in a range of contexts including playwork, childcare, early years and statutory education. The PCOM can also be used as a teaching and training aid for trainers and lecturers.

游戏周期观察方法（PCOM）是一种观察工具，专门针对游戏过程而开发，在观看儿童玩耍的视频时显示出良好的可靠性。这项研究在3岁儿童玩耍的学前环境中试行了“实时”使用PCOM。两位不熟悉比赛周期或PCOM概念的独立观察员的结果发现，在观察比赛线索以形成比赛周期并观察已建立的比赛周期中的比赛线索时，使用Cohen Kappa（k）具有良好的评估者间可靠性。另外，两个评分者之间的观察表明，比赛线索和比赛收益的性质，比赛框架的记录以及比赛周期的完成（an灭）是一致的。这项初步研究的结果表明，PCOM可以用作观察工具，以记录学生和从业人员在游戏，育儿，早年和法定教育等各种环境中工作的过程。PCOM还可以用作培训师和讲师的教学和培训辅助工具。