Dramatic Play describes the type of play that often happens in the House Area. It may seem like they’re playing simple games when they pretend they’re doctors or pirates or when they create their own characters using dolls but when children use their imaginations and pretend it’s actually very complex. Children make sense of the world and re-create the social interactions they see around them through imaginative play with friends, siblings, parents, and even the care of stuffed animals. It’s a great way for children to put into practice the interpersonal skills and dynamics they’re learning.
Dot, up in the loft: Hello?
Oona, downstairs: Hello.
Dot: So I have a surprise for you.
Oona: I’m making dinner. I’m doing the flowers.
Dot: Mama, and for dessert can you make chocolate chip muffins?
Oona: I’ll make them. Can you get all the ingredients?
Dot: Mama, I’m coming down. I’ll bring all the ingredients, okay. Here are all the ingredients. Here are the chocolate chips and here are all the bananas. I’m going to do (pour) chocolate chips.
Oona, in a nurturing tone: Not yet baby.
Dot: Ready mama?
Oona: Not yet.
Dot: I’ll mix them. It’s breakfast for dinner.
Oona: The cookies go into the oven.
The two then sit to share a meal.
Dot: This is the baby food.
Oona: This is the mama food.
Dot: Some tea?
Oona: I’ll pour for you.
Dot: Thank you. I’ll get the spoons.
Oona: The cookies are done.
Dot: But mama, we didn’t eat dinner.
Oona: I know.
Another group engaged in gifting and serving tea.
Wiley, from the loft: Delivery, delivery!
Ami: Hold on. I’m doing tea. (Walks to the pulley basket) Jewelry! I better put it in my jewelry bed.
Wiley: A delivery for you guys.
Ami: For a guy, delivery for you Luka.
Wiley: Hey, Ami, do you like red?
Ami: I like purple.
Wiley: Delivery!
Ami: It’s a purple necklace. I love it!
Luka: Wiley, do you like some eggs?
Wiley: Yes.
Ami: Can you make me eggs and pasta?
Luka begins to serve eggs and play food on the plates.
Luka: Would you like some tea?
Ami takes a sip.
Pretend play scenarios reflect what children are picking up in their social interactions with the people around them and what they observe in the relationships of people they know. We learned that Ami likes the color purple and offering tea has become a reoccurring ceremony to make connections. When kindness and empathy are encouraged, we’re likely to see children be a caring pretend parent or a chef who wants to please the people they’re feeding. We can’t help but think this warm feeling in our hearts is a reflection of your sweet family dynamics.
Link on the importance of dramatic play in child development.
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/why-dramatic-play-matters/