Th
e children in School-age 1 have been dressing up as many different community helpers and participating in lots of dramatic play. Some of the children started by asking the educators if they could borrow our lanyards, so that they could pretend to be teachers. Many of their friends joined in, and pretended to be the students in the school. The children were engaged in various roles that they have seen throughout their day at school, and participate in many pretend activities that they wo
uld in a typical day in the classroom such as reading and singing at circle time. The children enjoyed switching roles as well. A child would pass off the lanyard to a friend who would stand up and pretend to be a teacher, as the child who just took their turn would now act as one of the students. They participated in taking turns, sharing and cooperating.
The children also used the set of veterinarian tools and clothes to pretend to be doctors and vets, helping both animals and humans to feel better. The children who were dressed in the doctor clothing walked around the classroom with their tools, such as stethoscopes and thermometers, asking their peers and educators if they were sick or needed any help. Some of the children added stuffed animals to enhance their play as well. The doctors pretended to give out medicine and take x-rays. The children enjoyed making signs with whiteboards to make their own space and add to their play. When making these signs, the children asked how to spell words like “doctor” and “teacher”, and added visuals as well. Eventually with their signs, the children enjoyed creating their own doctor’s office or teacher’s desk, so that their friends who wanted to join in could approach their station.
The children mimicked the jobs of the adults that they see in real life scenarios and showed their understanding of the roles that they play in their lives. This role-playing develops the children’s social and emotional skills as they practiced cooperating, communicating, taking turns and engaging in gentle and empathetic interactions. Overall, by taking on these toles, the children not only had lots of fun but they also deepened their understanding of the world around them!
