April 13, 2013 DVAEYC
Dr. Donna R. Sanderson
West Chester University
Library of Love is open for business
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Become representers
of their experiences
and to create new
imaginative realities.
Dramatic play activity
has been linked to
social, emotional,
cognitive, and physical
growth.
Caroline holding a library
card.
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Children’s dramatic play ability is enhanced as their
development allows them to use symbolic
representation to engage in cooperative play with
others.
By the age of 3 most children are capable of
pretending with imaginary objects and events even
when props are not present.
As children become preschoolers dramatic play
becomes a cooperative activity where players work
together to carry out a predetermined theme. This is
called…..socio-dramatic play.
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For play to be considered socio-dramatic several
components must be present. The child must:
◦ A) engage in role playing (pretends to be another
person, object or animal)
◦ B) make believe with actions and objects
◦ C) have verbal and social interactions with at least
one other person to coordinate roles and plots
◦ D) have a play theme that lasts more than 5 minutes
Welcome to the
Library Of Love!
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Socio-dramatic play is an especially powerful medium for
supporting literacy development.
Play promotes oral language as children become “storytellers of
pretend events.” (Brown, et al, 2001).
During socio-dramatic play children must negotiate play scripts
and roles with peers, determine the meaning of props, act out
the roles using different voices, inflections and rich verbal
exchanges.
Dramatic play is important for reading & writing development,
children must understand that the written word is a symbolic
representation of an object or idea.
This enriched environment allows children to practice writing
and reading in an authentic, highly motivating context.
List of specialty books with corresponding
numbers housed behind the main desk.
Young Adult Section 3
Uh oh, you get fined for
a late book!!
These librarians are hard
core!
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Dramatic play is the ideal play arena for learning self-regulation because it is
a highly motivating activity to practice rule bound behavior.
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The imaginary situation helps children separate their thoughts and behaviors
from what is going on around them and to use their internal ideas to guide
their behavior.
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Cognitive skills that are enhanced can be: using spatial awareness,
classification, fractions, sorting, grouping, patterns, geometric awareness,
etc….
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Dramatic play leads to advanced play meaning greater intellectual
competence, creativity and problem-solving. Likewise, art and writing is also
a way children represent their knowledge.
Sorting and organizing
books into sections.
Music section &
children’s section.
Specialty books behind
the desk.
Cooking Section
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Dramatic play allows children to practice social skills and to “gain culturally
valued competencies.”
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Research had documented that children participate in more complex social
interactions in socio-dramatic play than in other centers in the classroom.
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Children learn to negotiate roles, take turns, resolve interpersonal
relationships. Through their negotiations and discussions they begin to
understand their own and other’s family and cultural beliefs, practices and
values.
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During dramatic play children also take on the roles of others, allowing
them to gain an understanding of the role, experiences another’s
perspective, develop empathy, and engage in rehearsal for life.
The librarian assistant telling
me about a book.
Your friendly neighborhood
librarian.
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Dramatic play can act as a cathartic release (a way to discharge
emotion).
It allows for children to act out fears and traumatic events in a
safe environment.
Through play children have the power to change the endings if
they wish.
Children can practice solving dilemmas and use play as a dorm
of communication.
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Computer boxes work great – label them
Not all prop items/ideas are appropriate for all ages –
consider safety first
Rotate the boxes frequently and you will prevent
boredom (and behavioral problems due to boredom)
Parents are great resources for prop box item donations
Do not allow stereotyping based on sex. All children
should be allowed to explore any “role” they choose.
View dramatic play and prop box enrichments as
opportunities to build upon skills and learn concepts
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the beach, flower shop, restaurant, hospital,
doctor/dentist office, veterinarian, fire fighter,
police station, dry cleaners, ice cream parlor,
bakery, plumber, tourist/vacationer, post office,
library, fishing boat, camping, house painter,
astronaut, optometrist, shoe store, jewelry store,
wedding, hair salon, gas station, office worker,
grocery store, car wash, school, pizza parlor,
bank, movie theater, etc……………
Play based activities can be fun
As well as highly educational!