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Dramatic Play
If you ask around, you will
get mixed views of the concept of “Learning Through Play”.
I once sat down with the director of an Early Learning
Center. She told me that she felt that if the parents were
paying tuition, the children needed to be learning in a
structured “class-like” environment. After we sat down
and went over information about learning centers, she
began to see how children benefit from these hands on
activities. Although center time can get really hectic or
loud, realize that it is structured- even if you want to
classify it as “Structured Chaos”.
 I gave the director a few examples of how
children learn from these “real life experiences” in
learning centers. Say that you have four children in
Dramatic Play. The teacher interacts with this small group
as they pretend to be in a grocery store. This opens the
door for many higher order questions that they absolutely
cannot get from sitting at a table and listening to a
lecture.
For example: As you pretend
to drive to the store you can talk about stranger danger
and seat belt safety. While putting the foods in your
basket you can discuss nutrition and the importance of
food for nourishment. When it is time to pay the cashier,
you can count money. Without realizing it, you have
covered four objectives in about 10 or 15 minutes. You can
also add a discussion about community helpers and the
people who work at the grocery store. Maybe slip a little
lesson in on manners as you say, “Thank you for shopping
with us”. Now you are up to six objectives. The list is
almost endless.
As you have probably noticed,
Dramatic Play is my favorite learning center. It is also
easy to create one at home. Even if you do not have the
kitchen set that seems to be standard in most classrooms.
Either way, use your imagination. It is best to put things
in the center a little at a time. If you are in the
classroom, try to incorporate your theme for the week. It
you are at home, just rotate the items every couple of
weeks.
 It is also easy to accumulate
things for the center. Just utilize your resources. Think
about your friends: Where do they work and what can they
give you? Do you know a police officer or fire fighter?
See if you can get an old uniform shirt (that was a
favorite in my class). Do you know anyone that plays
football or is on the cheerleading squad? Children love
uniforms of all types. I took my daughter’s outgrown
costumes from dance recitals and found that the boys even
liked the glittery sequins. Can you get posters or maps
from a travel agent? If not, contact tourist commissions
in a few states of your choice and they will mail you
information for free. If friends or family members go on
vacation, ask them to save brochures for you.
You can purchase some silk or
plastic flowers and a few plastic flowerpots or vases to
create a florist shop. When you stock the shelves with
some note pads, pencils, a phone, paper clips, index cards
and envelopes, you just created an office. Children love
to imitate older siblings working on homework. Purchase a
couple of binders, put a little loose-leaf paper in them
and see their imagination work. Add colored pencils,
backpacks, rulers, calculators, and any other school
supplies that you want. For a grocery store, save empty
cereal boxes, soft drink bottles (not cans), plastic food
containers, or empty cleaning supply bottles. Just make
sure that whatever you use is washed really well and will
not be a hazard to the child. Clean and empty
are the key words for grocery items. Another fun option is
to collect menus from restaurants, put a phone book with
the phone, a few note pads, and watch how they interact
with each other. Even if you have a book corner, put books
and magazines in Dramatic Play.
Now you see why this learning
center is included under “Reading Readiness”.
Because whatever items you decide to put in your Dramatic
Play center, should focus on literacy. Children need to
see that as adults, we see and use the written language
every day.
 The biggest mistake that you
can make is to give them some play food, a few dishes, a
baby doll, and call it Dramatic Play. The purpose of
learning through play is expanding their horizons and
introducing them to many different scenarios. Think about
what goes on in your home and in your life. Do you only
cook food, rock babies, and change diapers? While it may
sometimes seem so, you know that you do many different
things. You make grocery lists, read newspapers, write
letters (or e-mail), visit with friends on the phone, pay
bills, open mail, etc. Maybe you get dressed up to go to
parties or special events. All of these things can be
carried over to the Dramatic Play center. I think the
kitchen set and baby dolls became fixtures in Dramatic
Play because it is also called “House Keeping” in some
childcare facilities. However, through this learning
center you can give them a peek beyond the home and out
into the world. Be creative, have fun, and watch the
children respond.
Next week: Science and Table Toys.
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