Dramatic play allows children to explore the world on their own level and learn through real-life experiences. Social and academic skills are practiced and refined in this center. Here are some examples:
In the housekeeping area, children:
*learn to share resources
*use problem-solving skills to work out disagreements
*write "notes" and "read" recipes
When the Pizza Hut is set up, children:
*record orders on the order pads and read the pads to prepare the food
*match the correct pizza crust sizes to create a whole crust
*sort ingredients as they put them away
In the clinic play center, children:
*verbalize "symptoms" to the doctor
*record patient information on a chart
*take turns seeing the doctor (or being the doctor)
Every month one portion of the dramatic play center is transformed into a local business or attraction. These include McDonald's , a Campground, a Bakery, Santa's Workshop, Pizza Hut, a Clinic, a grocery store, and Dairy Queen. (Click on the highlighted titles to learn more about each.) Kids would love to help m om and dad set this up at home!
