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Dramatic games
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Playtime is one of the most vital parts of childhood development.
Research has proven that all areas of development are enhanced through a
child’s play activities. Healthy growth and development is stimulated
through play as early as birth and on into the school age years.
Children play in a variety of ways with a number of different toys. Each
activity has a different affect on development.

Work in this
centre is called "dramatic play" or "pretend play". The dramatic
centre provides many opportunities for social development: they
learn about themselves, their families and the world. It means
taking on a role beyond familiar scenes. Through dramatic play
children can overcome fears and control their anxieties. The
imaginative play or dramatic play centre needs to contain
sufficient equipment and material to stimulate role playing,
self-expression and initiative. Shelves or cupboards may be used to
provide "walls". These "walls" should be high enough for the
children, but low enough for the teacher so that she can keep aware
of what is happening there.
Traditionally,
basic equipment for the imaginative play area has included simulated
kitchen appliances and cupboards, a table and chairs, dress-up
clothes, a mirror and many other items such as dolls and doll beds
to encourage children to "play house".
Materials can be varied to
transform the area into a hospital, a travel bureau, a grocery
store, a popcorn stand, or other exciting places. If space allows,
the home or playhouse can be maintained as a permanent play area.
The resources list is suggestive rather than prescriptive. The
intent is for the area to simulate the real world. These areas will
be particularly effective when they represent environments that the
children have recently encountered via a school outing or other
learning experience. Parents/caregivers and other members of the
community will often loan or donate materials and children can make
some things from "found" materials.
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Outcomes |
Materials |
Ideas |
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Taking on a
variety of roles such as family roles, social roles..
Working on
social skills
Learning to see
other’s perspectives
Developing
language skills
Discovering the
power of words
Developing
listening
skills
Understanding
emotions
Acting out different situations, real
or imaginary
ActiInteract with others
P
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Books
(fair and equitable)
Boots
Broom and
dustpan
Chairs
Chopsticks
Clothes-rack and clothespins
Costumes
Crib or
bed
Cupboard
Cutlery
Dish
cloths and tea towels
Dishes
Doll
clothes
Dolls
Drain-board
Dress-up
clothes
Food
Hats
Iron and
ironing board
Jewellery
Mirror
Refrigerator
Shoes
Sink
Soap
Stove
Table
(low)
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Pretend to talk on a play phone
Pretend to have a Tea Party. Invite a favourite stuffed
animal.
Pretend to eat like Cookie Monster.
Ask them for
a cookie or ice cream and they pretend to give one to me and
I make a lot of noise while pretending to eat it.
Pretend to be asleep.
Let the children wake you up, pretend to be suprised.
Snoring adds a lot more fun to this game.
Pretend to be a ____!
Pretend to be a dog, cat, dinosaur, baby....
Make a play house
Drape a blanket over a talbe for a fun place to play.
Give toddlers a paper bag. Let them decorate their bags with
crayons or markers or stickers etc. Punch a hole on the top
side of each bag near the opening and tie a piece of yarn
through the hole.
Have kids run with the kites flying behind
them
Keep any large boxes you acquire to make
a car, train, kitchen, castle, or dollhouse.
Use a blanket or sheet
over top of kitchen chairs to make a “rocket ship”. Cut out
circles for the planets and tape them on the inside then sit
inside with a flashlight and pretend
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Props & signs for the centres |
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AIRPORT
cap
airplane
badge
tickets
steering wheel
suitcase, headsets
microphone
crew hats toy planes
toy binoculars
play microphone
cardboard, draw
instrument panels
Download
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BAKERY
measuring spoons
rolling pins
Aprons
oven mittens
cookie sheets
pictures of baked goods
chef’s hat
muffin tins
cake pans
mixing bowls
spoons
cake decorators
order pads
recipes
cookie cutters
flour shaker
cupcake papers
fresh play dough
Download
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BIRTHDAY PARTY
Party hats
party blowers
party cups and plates pretend cakes
inexpensive gift wrap & bows
tape & scissors
boxes
gift bags & tissue
paper
Download
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BANK
play money
deposit slips/checks
bankbooks
adding machine/calculator
teller window
cash box
rubber stamps/ink pads
paper/pens
coin rolls
Download
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BEACH
blankets
picnic basket
beach umbrella
sunglasses
beach ball
pretend suntan lotion
beach towel
buckets and shovels
shells
straw hats
play picnic foods
swimming caps
surfboard
fins
flip flops
Download

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CAMPING
canteen
flashlight
tent
grill fake campfire
sticks w/ marshmallows
binoculars
small skillet
mosquito-netting
nature books
food supplies
sleeping bags
paper plates
thermos
fishing poles
fly swatter
plastic ants
small cooler
Download
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CASTLE
Cone shaped princess hats
crowns, silver and gold shoes, robes (red capes with white fur)
princess dresses
cardboard castle
round cardboard tubes and squares for building the castle |
CARWASH
tricycles
buckets
water
buckets
sponges
squeegees
car wash signs
play money |
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COWBOYS
cowboy hats
ropes
boots
denim vests
bandanas
cowboy shirts,
chaps |
DOCTOR/NURSE
paper nurse’s hats
surgical masks/booties
stethoscope
cotton balls
Band aids
telephone
scale
white aprons or lab coat
small flashlight
hot water bottle
gauze
rubber gloves
dolls/doll beds
syringes (w/o needles)
empty medicine bottle
hospital ‘gown’
doctor bag
x-rays
thermometer
old crutches (small)
Download
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FISHING
boat (box)
styrofoam packing
worms
net
tackle box
sinkers/bobbers
fishing hat
pole w/ string,
‘fish’ (w/ magnets)
binoculars
fishing magazines
camera
thermos |
FIREFIGHTER
yellow rubber raincoats
boots
old vacuum hose
stepladder
flashlight
fire safety posters
walkie-talkies
gloves
baby dolls (to rescue)
phone
whistle
fire hats
Download
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FARM
overalls
pail
straw
animal brush
empty feed bag
stuffed animals
plastic animal sets
paint a large cardboard box red
for a barn
Download
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FLOWER SHOP
plastic flowers
watering can
seeds
small garden tools
potting soil
vases
florist smock
flower/garden magazines
garden hats
garden gloves
ribbon
order book and pen
cash register/money
phone
plastic pots
styrofoam squares
baskets
Download
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GROCERY STORE
/
GREEN GROCER
play food
check out area
egg cartons
Paper bags
cash register
play money
sale flyers
grocery cart/basket
aprons
purses/wallets
plastic fruit/vegetables
coupons
Download

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HAIR STYLIST
Plastic combs
mirrors
hairpins
rollers
spray bottles
barrettes
appointment book
plastic capes
brushes
hair dryer (w/ cord cut off)
magazines
play money
empty shampoo bottles
ribbons
posters of hair styles
telephone
hair clips
wigs/wig heads
towels
headbands |
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HOUSE PAINTER
Smocks
paint brushes
paint
rags
paint trays
cap
paint rollers
buckets of water
old shirts
step ladder
color sample wheels
Download
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ICE CREAM PARLOR
Ice cream scoops
paper ‘cones’
empty ice cream tubs
play money/cash register
apron and hat
order pads/pencils
wipe-off board ‘menu’
empty whipped cream spray cans
Download
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MAGICIAN
hat
gloves
cape
wand
tablecloth
flowers
scarves
cards
stuffed animals
cardboard boxes |
MOVIE THEATRE
Chairs for theatre
tables for refreshments and to sell tickets
television
set
cash register
money cups for drinks
flashlight for usher
popcorn boxes
tickets aprons for snack attendants
jacket for ushers
movie
theatre sign |
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MECHANIC/
GARAGE
tools/tool box
steering wheels
play money
work clothes
‘oil’ cans
‘gas’ hose
cash register
squeegee/bucket
poster with prices
car keys
rags
tire pump
auto supply catalogue
Gas can (new)
used/washed or new auto parts
Download
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OFFICE
desk
name plate
old forms/files
typewriter
briefcase
memo pad
phones/phone books
paper/pens/pencils
calculator
stamps
old computer
stapler
paperclips
junk mail
pen holder
Download
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PLUMBER
piping – shapes, sizes
tools
toolbox
measuring devices
spigots
plungers hose/nozzles
hardware store flyers
old shirt (w/ logo on pocket) |
POLICE OFFICER
pad for writing tickets
small clipboard
police hat
stop signs
license plates
blue shirt
Walkie-talkie
badge
911 signs
black belt
steering wheel
whistle (siren)
Download
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POST OFFICE
envelopes
postcards
stamps (seals/stickers)
boxes or packages
duffle bag
junk mail
‘mailbox’
scale
mailperson hat
stickers
paper punch
cash register
old blue shirt
cash register
pens, pencils,
paper
Download
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RESTAURANT
tablecloth
napkins
dishes
tablecloth
menus (made w/ food pics)
order pads/pencils
sign for restaurant
aprons
hats
cash register
trays
play food
Download

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SCHOOL
chalkboard/chalk
notebooks
pencils/paper
books
backpack
lunchbox
chairs
teachers ‘desk’
flag
Download
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SHOE STORE
lots of shoes
shoe boxes
shoe laces
cash register
play money
ruler or foot measurer
shoestrings
shoe horn
sacks
pictures of shoes
hook w/ service numbers
small chairs
full-length mirror
shoe polish (empty)
order pad
Download
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TOURIST/VACATION
suitcases
tickets
sunglasses
maps
passports
travelers checks
play
money
postcards
travel magazines
camera |
VETERINARIAN
stuffed animals
cotton balls
gauze
surgical masks
pamphlets on animals
plastic gloves
play money
needless syringes
exam table
empty medicine bottles
pet brushes
white lab coat
pet carriers
magnifying glass
stethoscope |
WEDDING
white
dresses
veil or lace curtain
bride magazines
Wedding cake
rings
bow ties
flowers
paper to make invites
white dress up shoes
suit
decorations
black clergy ‘robe’
wedding pictures
camera |
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