Dramatic Play

**DRAMATIC PLAY**

Dramatic play is one of the "play centers".

Research has shown the dramatic play offers children vast opportunities to learn about themselves, others, and the environment in which they live.  Benefits of play in the classroom include:

Physical: Children increase motor skill development.

Cognitive: Children increase in skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, planning, organizing, and language.

Social and Emotional: Children have enhanced development of cooperation, sharing, taking turns, less egocentrism, increase self-esteem, and helps to practice appropriate social roles.  

EXAMPLE OF DRAMATIC PLAY:

This is an apple market.

Children can wear overalls and cowboy hats.

Buy and sell apples, muffins, apple pie, and apple sauce.  

Make signs for the apple market (apples for sale, 25 cents, sale, etc.)

DRAMATIC PLAY THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:

1. Dr's Office (with stuffed animals and dolls as patients)

2. Apple Market

3. Pumpkin Patch

4. Car Wash (play cars, that is)

5. Farm

6. Mail System

7. Flower Shop

8. Veterinarian's Office

9. Aquarium