Dramatic Play and Prop Boxes

Educational Value:

1. Children can assume the roles of those whom they are trying to understand.
   
   
2. With the assistance of actual and homemade props, children can reproduce real life situations.
   
   
3. There is emotional satisfaction as children play through their fantasies and think about being the characters they are trying to represent.
   
   
4. Much social development occurs here; for most of the play in this area involves small groups and occasionally a larger group when a "play" is being formed (initiated by the children).
   
   
5. Social studies is learned as children not only identify with the adults they are trying to portray, but also they are becoming comfortable with the tools and vocabulary of that occupation.
   
   
6. Creativity is fostered as children develop a complicated life situation that leads to language skills and story development.
   

It is here that children come to try on outfits and borrow props hat enhance their work in another area r that will help them develop the roles they are playing in creative dramatics. This is an important place to be. As with the family center, role playing people and their occupations within the community bonds the social studies program to the children very directly. One of the "units" found in early childhood education programs is "Community Helpers." In the dramatic play center, you collect the symbols of those adults roles to help the children understand how it feels to step into those roles.

Props should be stored in boxes that are clearly labeled with words and pictures. A good source of pictures is the large collection of catalogs and magazines that are readily available in most households. Parents are helpful in contributing these to the classroom when they are made aware of the need. Children can do the locating, cutting, and pasting of the pictures for the boxes. Labeling the boxes help integrate language arts with social studies and drama.

Many people in the community are glad to share some of their props for this purpose. Somethings can be gathered on a field trip; but more often, you will make contacts with people as you move along in your own daily life. Gather these props and catalog them in the boxes. This helps the children make the associations which assist them in understanding the concepts of sets and classification.

Children need to touch these things. They want to try out becoming the person for a while. Some imagine doing that kind of work as adults. Some simply want to feel the role for now. Take photographs for the Gallery; for what occurs here disappears with clean-up time.

Adults need not write plays for children. Drama blossoms forth (as do other forms of art), when adults recognize its presence within everyone and provide materials, space, and time to develop naturally. Actors thrive upon an enthusiastic response from an audience. Your praise and support will validate children's efforts and offer incentive for them to develop their talents as actors and playwrights.