Sunday, March 15, 2009

How parents can incorporate play at home


So far I've geared my blogs towards teachers. Now I want parents to see how they can really foster this approach at home. I hope by now that you see that academic skills shouldn't be stressed at the expense of play for these young children. Remember that play is how they learn. Here are a few suggestions that you can follow on a typical day.

During the early morning or quiet of night:

  • Have a space where the child can be encouraged to play alone or with another child.

During the day:

  • When you have time go to your child's school and watch them while playing. see what sparks their interest and what they spend most of their time doing. Watch the teacher and see what type of play activities and props he/ she uses and try to bring them into your home.
  • While at home encourage pretend play using materials as other objects i.e. a small shoe box as a mail box.

After school or on weekends:

Outdoor dramatic play is just as important as being indoors. You can be in your own backyard, playground, park, pool etc. During outside activities children can use large motor skills receiving exercise.

Parents, not that you understand the importance of play here are some ideas that you can use at home:

  • Tell your children that you know play is important for them.
  • When your child wants you to play with them and you have the time engage with them!
  • Have well thought out props and materials for your children to play with. Dress up materials and writing materials. Remember it doesn't have to be new in fact old things work the best like old purses, phones, shoes boxes, etc.

Your child is never just playing they are learning and building skills!

Source:

Wilford, Sara (2005,May ). Policies & Practices: Sharing the Power of Play With Parents. Retrieved March 10, 2009, from Scholastic Web site: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3747169


Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Prop Box/ Dramatic play centers

Here are some great ideas for prop boxes and dramatic play centers by a former teacher Cathy Abraham

THE BEACH
blanketspicnic basketbeach umbrella
sunglassesbeach ballpretend suntan lotion
beach towelbuckets and shovelsshells
lawn chairsstraw hatsplay picnic foods
Beach Boys musicswimming capssurfboard
snorkelsfinsflip flops

FLOWER SHOP
plastic flowerswatering canseeds
florist smockflower/garden magazinesgarden hats
small garden toolspotting soilvases
garden glovesribbonorder book and pen
cash register/moneyphoneplastic pots
styrofoam squares


RESTAURANT
tableclothnapkinsdishes
tablewaremenus (made with food pics)order pads/pencils
sign for restaurantapronshats
cash registertraysplay food

VETERINARIAN
stuffed animalscotton ballsgauze
surgical maskspamphlets on animalsplastic gloves
play moneyneedleless syringesexam table
empty medicine bottlespet brusheswhite lab coat
pet carriersmagnifying glassstethoscope

FIREFIGHTER
yellow rubber raincoatsbootsold vacuum hose
phonewhistlefire hats
stepladderflashlightfire safety posters
walkie-talkiesglovesbaby dolls (to rescue)

PLUMBER
piping-all lengths,
widths, shapes, sizes
tools
toolboxesmeasuring devicesspigots
plungershoses/nozzleshardware store flyers
old shirt (with logo on pocket)

TOURIST/VACATION
suitcases"tickets"sunglasses
mapsHawaiian shirts"passports"
travelers checks/moneypostcardstravel magazines
camera


BAKERY
fresh playdoughmeasuring spoonsrolling pins
apronsoven mittscookie sheets
pictures of baked goodschef's hatmuffin tins
cake pansmixing bowlsspoons
cake decoratorsorder pads"recipes"
cookie cuttersflour shakercupcake papers

POST OFFICE
envelopespostcardsstamps (seals, stickers)
boxes or packagesduffle bagjunkmail
"mailbox"scalemailperson hat
stickerspaper punchcash register
old blue shirtpens, pencils, paper

FISHING
boat (box)styrofoam packing "worms"net
tackle boxsinkers/bobbersfishing hat
pole with string, magnets"fish" with magnetsbinoculars
fishing magazinescamerathermos

CAMPING/FOREST RANGER
canteenflashlight"tent"
knapsackgrillfake campfire
sticks with marshmallowsbinocularssmall skillet
mosquito nettingnature booksfood supplies
sleeping bagsthermosfishing poles
fly swatterplastic antssmall cooler
lawn furnitureorange vestspaper plates

HOUSE PAINTER
smockspaint brushespaint rollers
buckets of water (paint)ragspaint trays
capold shirtsstepladder
paint color sample wheels


ASTRONAUT
helmet"airtank"earphones
globe"control panel"moonboots
flag"moonrocks"walkie-talkies
"rocketship"star decals"food" in plastic bags

OPTOMETRIST
eye chartpointerglasses (frames)
table mirrorwhite lab coatglasses cases
wooden spoon (for covering
one eye to read chart)
pictures of eyes

JEWELRY STORE
Old jewelry (check for safety)-
necklaces, bracelets, rings,
clip-on earrings
cash registerplay money"display case"
jewelry boxessmall mirrors

SHOE STORE
lots of shoesshoeboxescash register
play moneyruler or foot measurershoe strings
shoe hornsackspictures of shoes
hook w/service numbersshoe polish (empty)small chairs
full-length mirrororder padextra shoelaces

DOCTOR/NURSE
paper nurse's hatssurgical masks/bootiesstethoscope
cotton ballsbandaidstelephone
scalewhite aprons or labcoatsmall flashlight
hot water bottlegauzerubber gloves
dolls/doll's bedssyringes (w/out needles)empty medicine bottles
hospital "gown"medical bagx-rays
thermometerRX pad/filesold crutches (small)

WEDDING
white dressesveil or lace curtainbride magazines
wedding "cake"ringsbowties
flowerspaper to make inviteswhite dress-up shoes
suitdecorationsblack clergy "robe"
wedding picturescamera"just married" sign

HAIR STYLIST
plastic combsmirrorshairpins
rollersspray bottlesbarrettes
appointment bookplastic capebrushes
hair dryer (with cord cut off)magazinesplay money
curling iron (with cord cut off)empty shampoo bottlesribbons
posters of hair stylestelephonehair clips
wigs/wig headstowelsheadbands
**Note: things used on hair must be sanitized after use by children

GAS STATION/AUTO MECHANIC
tools/toolboxsteering wheelsplay money
workclothes"oil" cans"gas" hose
cash registersqueegee/bucketposter w/prices
tire gaugecar keysfunnel (for oil)
ragstire pumpauto supply catalog
gas can (new)used/washed or new auto parts

OFFICE WORKER
desk nameplateold forms/filestypewriter
briefcasememo padphones/phone books
paper/pens/pencilscalculatorstamps
old computerstaplerpaperclips
junk mailpen holderrolodex

POLICE OFFICER
pad for writing ticketssmall clipboardpolice hat
stop signslicense platesblue shirt
walkie-talkiebadge911 signs
black beltsteering wheelwhistle (siren)

GROCERY STORE
play foodcheckout areaegg cartons
paper bagscash registerplay money
sale flyersgrocery cart/basketaprons
purses/walletsplastic fruit/vegetablescoupons

CARWASH
tricyclesbucketswater
spongessqueegeeshose
carwash signsplay money

SCHOOL
chalkboard/chalknotebookspencils/paper
booksbackpacklunchbox
chairsteacher's "desk"flag

PIZZA PARLOR
discarded pizza boxesplay moneyorder pad
phonesbakery apronscash register
"stove"play pizza cutterprep area
cardboard circles (pizzas)
with felt on one side
felt circles (green peppers,
mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, olives)

BANK
play moneydeposit slips/checksbankbooks
adding machine/calculatorteller windowcash box
rubber stamps/inkpadspaper/penscoin rolls

ICE CREAM PARLOT
ice cream scoopspaper "cones"empty ice cream tubs
play money/cash registerapron and hatorder pads/pencils
wipe-off board "menu"empty whipped cream spray cans


Other prop box ideas:

Science Lab
New Baby
Farmer
Carpender
Music Store
Pilot
Magician
Book Store
Clothing Store
Seamstress
Dentist
Pet Shop
Travel Agency
The Zoo
Royalty Play
Rancher
Hat Shop
Repair Shop
Cider Mill
Bear Cave
Dancer
Reporter
Train Conductor
Maid
Telephone Repairman
Library
Picnic
Sporting Goods Store
Fast Food Drive-thru
Birthday Party
Movie Theater
Window washer
The Circus
Weatherman
Photography Studio
Costume Shop

Source:
Abraham, Cathy Prop Box Ideas to Enhance Dramatic Play. Retrieved March 12, 2009, from Alphabet Soup Web site: http://www.alphabet-soup.net/articles/article13.html

Questions to help assess dramatic play area once set up

Here are some questions that teachers can ask themselves once they have a dramatic play center set up and in use.


  • Does the center incorporate a variety of materials that will encourage dramatic play of young children?
  • Does the play center include materials that will stimulate literacy activities?
  • Does the play center include teacher made and commercial props?
  • Are the materials available that promote creativity and flexibility of play?
  • Are all the materials developmentally appropriate?
  • Are play props appropriate to theme?
  • Does the play center reinforce physical, cognitive, and social skills?
  • Are the children involved in play themes?
  • Do projects stem from the play materials?
  • Are children engaged in high levels of both social and cooperative play?