The dramatic play area is home of imagination, creation, expression, and conversation. This area of program transforms the most thorough child-led play experiences; most recently, it became a sweet shop. Children brought this idea to life with playdough cupcakes, sparkly donuts, colourful ice cream cones, and various loose parts which are transient in their purposes.
Sometimes, this shop was a place for peers to engage in recapitulative play, applying skills they’ve learned in previous baking experiences to roleplay the process of baking cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and more. Other times it was a restaurant where children served their baked goods to their patiently waiting customers, making use of the tables nearby. The possibilities for extensions of learning were truly endless, using each day as an opportunity to explore new curiosities, questions, and interests.
Combining the interests of roleplay in the sweet shop and a love for structures, the playground became an extension of our classroom as small groups worked diligently to construct a fort with not one, but two rooms for dramatic play exploration. In the front room, children could park their bikes, crawl around, and navigate the space however they chose. In the back, small groups and individuals were busy baking desserts and brewing coffee so that they could serve any guests who approached.
Observing how extensive the interests expand and seeing how previous learning is applied into other types of play is one of the biggest motivators we have in encouraging child-led play and removing limitations within reason. Time and time again, children prove to us how they learn best when adults are available to facilitate and expand on natural interests.
