NHI-Dramatic Play

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Dramatic Play

An attractive and orderly dramatic play area is inviting to children. Children learn many valuable skills through dramatic or make-believe play such as:
	l Language development l Working together l Pretending l Sorting

Things to Consider

l Younger children should have soft dolls.

l Change items for dramatic play often.

l Use safe items for dramatic play. Items with small or sharp pieces are not appropriate.

l Dramatic play items, such as aprons, child-size dishes, pots, and pans, should be available for indoor and outdoor play.

Adult Interaction

Adults should play with children in the dramatic play area. It is important to tell the child the name of the item(s) he or she is playing with and show how to use items.

Setting Up a Dramatic Play/Make Believe Area

1. Choose an area to designate as the dramatic play area.

2. Provide low shelves for materials.

3. Organize and store materials in boxes or hang on pegs.

Collecting Materials for a Dramatic Play/Make-Believe Area

Inexpensive materials for dramatic play can be collected easily. Select items that are clean and in good condition.

l Yard sales are great places to find dress up clothes. Be sure to wash all clothing in hot, soapy water before allowing the children to play with them.

l Check the remnant section of stores for fabric. You can sew simple costumes or let the children drape the cloth around themselves for dress up.

l Ask parents to save empty food boxes. All boxes should be clean and dry.

Dramatic Play/Make-Believe for Infants and Ones	Dramatic Play/Make-Believe for Twos and Threes	Dramatic Play/Make-believe for Fours and Fives

	Making Puppets

References

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Bourland, B. (1987). Active learning for infants. Parsippany, NJ: Dale Seymour Publications. 108-109, 113-115.

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Bourland, B. (1987). Active learning for ones. Parsippany, NJ: Dale Seymour Publications. 132-134, 141.

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Bourland, B. (1988). Active learning for twos. Parsippany, NJ: Dale Seymour Publications. 194-195.

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Bourland, B. (1988). Active learning for threes. Parsippany, NJ: Dale Seymour Publications. 200-201, 203.

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Ray, A. R. (1996). Active learning for fours. NY: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. 256-257, 260, 267.

Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Ray, A. R. (1996). Active learning for fives. NY: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. 290-291, 293-294.

Adapted by Casey Cooksey, Graduate Assistant, Nurturing Homes Initiative. Reviewed by Louise E. Davis, Ph.D., Mississippi State University, Associate Extension Professor, Child and Family Development Specialist,and Cathy Grace, Ed.D., Director, Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute. Distributed by Louise E. Davis, Ph.D.

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