My student intern is leading lessons this month. One of her areas of focus are the 5 senses. She has planned a number of hands-on and engaging experiences for our Grade 1 students as they come to learn and understand the 5 senses and their role in our daily lives. She also transformed our dramatic play kitchen space into an Optometrist Office.

Importance of Dramatic Play

According to Amanda Morgan from www.notjustcute.com, dramatic play is frequently used by children as a cognitive processing tool. In this type of play, children explore new ideas, experiences and observations. In our optometrist office, the children can re-enact the process of going to the optometrist and they also work on literacy and numeracy skills. Numeracy is woven into the play through the eye chart that contains various shapes and numbers. Literacy is part of the play as the children work to complete the patient information form.

Amanda Morgan also suggests that when children take on a role that they are thinking and acting not as themselves, but outside of themselves. As they act like someone else they are developing the earliest form of empathy. In addition to empathy, the children are also working on social skills, creativity, negotiating and problem solving.

Including a dramatic play space in the classroom is an important tool for learning and growth for young learners. What type of dramatic play do you include for your young learners?

Happy Learning

Lynda