When I left the elementary classroom to become the director of a daycare and preschool, I was in a different world! One of my first responsibilities was to adopt a new curriculum for the entire daycare. As we adopted the Creative Curriculum, I was introduced to play-based learning and dramatic play. Some of my former colleagues pointed out that I had already been using play-based learning with my Space unit when I taught first and second grade. I will have to write a whole other blog post to explain that huge undertaking! As we learned our new curriculum, I fell in love with dramatic play and started creating different areas to go with our Creative Curriculum studies.
There are many advantages and benefits of play-based learning and dramatic play. In my first blog post about dramatic play, I talk about children learning social and emotional skills, using creativity and imagination, and incorporating math and literacy skills. Acquiring language skills is another big part of play-based learning. If set up correctly, children are engaged in the learning process and they learn as they play. I love listening to the conversations while they are in the dramatic play area. I hear them thinking, problem-solving, and often having some very interesting and funny conversations.
An Example of A Dramatic Play Area
One of my favorite setups is the Tea Shop and Bakery Dramatic Play I created for my kindergarten classroom. There is so much to learn in this area! The children start by choosing the job/role they will have during free time.
At the entrance to our shop, the hostess greets our customers. Our customers receive a menu and pick a table. The menu is a print-rich tool with pictures, labels, and prices.
Important Reading Skills
Customers are surrounded by vocabulary words on the wall. Each word is accompanied by a picture to illustrate the word. The children love reading the words and are very proud of themselves that they can read so many words. Next to the kitchen, there are sequence cards with words hanging on the wall to show the sequence of making tea, scones and cookies. The children learning sequence, an important reading comprehension skill as they play in the kitchen.
Play-based learning is a great way for students to learn math skills. Important kindergarten math skills like number sense, counting, addition, writing numbers, and tallying are all practiced in the tea shop and bakery.
Counting Skills
My students love to pretend to cook. I added this part of the play area to help them learn to follow directions and practice counting. They love to use the “recipe cards” and create treats for our bakery. My students would stay at this station forever if I let them !
Social Skills
This is a great dramatic play to teach social skills. The children take turns serving each other and practice being polite, waiting turns, greeting each other, and many other social skills. It is also a great time for language development and language and vocabulary acquisition.
Social Studies
The last benefit, although I am sure there are many more, is I can bring in great discussions about cultures where tea is very important and part of many of the traditions both in Great Britain and India. This leads to some great discussions and learning.
I absolutely love this dramatic play area and so do my students. You can hop on my Facebook or Instagram and see more of our area in action. If you decide to use this play area, let me know how your students liked learning through play.
Enjoy,
-Jeanne
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