Fostering Dramatic Play

Dramatic play comes as naturally to most young children as does eating and breathing. Nobody has to teach a child that he can be a superhero when he wears a cape, or a doctor when she puts a stethoscope around her neck. In fact, some four-year-olds spend the better portion of the year pretending to be cats.

So if children are naturals at dramatic play, what is the adult’s role?

Understand the Value of Dramatic Play

Too often, adults see children’s imaginative role-playing as “just playing” – as if there is some more important work that children ought to be doing. But dramatic play is enormously important. It gives them practice in imitating adult roles, and a sense of power from doing so. It helps them develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-expression. As they refashion items to suit their needs, they learn to think abstractly.

Some parents see dramatic play as taking time away from academic pursuits. Take the opportunity to educate them about the value of dramatic play in children’s development.

Don’t Interfere

If children are left to their own devices, they do fine with dramatic play, but they love to occasionally have adults join in. Remember, though, that the imaginative worlds they create are theirs; you are merely a guest. Use good etiquette. Don’t try to influence the direction of the playing. Especially don’t try to steer it toward an educational or moral lesson. A king might justifiably boot you out of the kingdom for such an offense. Don’t let yourself become the center of attention. It’s fine to be an invited guest at the royal ball. Don’t even think of being Cinderella. Don’t overstay your welcome. Slip out before your hosts and hostesses are tired of you.

Let children work out their problems as much as possible. If you do need to provide some social or emotional coaching, do so in an adult, educator role rather than while joining in with the dramatic play. Help out from behind the scenes. If a shy child is being left out, but seems to want to play, give him or her an object (a magic wand or a fire hat, for example) that can influence the direction of the play.

Unobtrusive Encouragement

Almost anything can be a prop for dramatic play. The key is to keep a sense of novelty. Regularly switch things around. Bring out new props and move others into hibernation. Change the layout of the room so that children see their play areas from a different angle. Group related objects into bins. This makes it easy to clean up, and also gives children a sense of organization as they start playing. Some possible themes for bins are doctor’s office, restaurant, veterinarian, and construction site. Take advantage of what’s going on in the rest of the early education program. If the class went on a field trip to a farm, this is the perfect time to provide a farm-themed bin. Imaginative play extends and cements learning.

Don’t be shy about asking for materials. Parents often have old clothes that they’d be happy to donate for dress-up purposes. In fact, they might be relieved to be rid of those dresses that they will never fit into again! Ask businesses as well. A restaurant owner might donate a number of take-out containers to future customers. A doctor’s office might be able to spare a few pairs of surgical gloves. You never know until you ask.

Some materials that are particularly useful:

• Full length mirror
• Suitcases
• Fancy clothes
• Costumes (check after Halloween for discounts)
• Tape recorder and tapes
• Empty boxes of food, taped shut
• Telephones, non-working
• Handbags
• Briefcases

Take It Outside

We often think of outside time as a chance for children to blow off steam and use those large muscle groups. Certainly that is crucial, but it can also be another chance for dramatic play. The change in setting lends itself to more active kinds of imaginative play. I once observed a number of kindergarten aged children play an elaborate game of “dog catcher” that extended for weeks – like a soap opera. They took turns being the dogs and the dog catchers and each day the dogs encountered different obstacles and challenges.

Make sure that the outside play area isn’t too pristine. Provide some sturdy containers to carry things around in. Buckets, backpacks, and wheelbarrows all work well. Consider a plastic picnic set. Watch how children use natural objects like pinecones and acorns in their play. Don’t be surprised if they bring you a meal of grass and sticks.

The most important thing to remember is to appreciate the dramatic play and the children who are creating it. You very well may have a front row seat to the best show in town!