The dramatic play area had been set up as a doctor's office. A poster about the human body was on the wall. A small table had been covered with long, heavy, white paper to mimic an examining table. White and teal lab jackets were attractively hung on hooks. There were disposable blue surgery hats for children to wear. A child-sized wheelchair and crutches were ready to use. Several pretend first aid kits with working stethoscopes were included. Cloth bandages, medical tape, dolls, scales, telephones and notepads completed the area.
The children marveled at hearing the beat of their own heart with the stethoscopes. One child said to another, "Could I be the doctor now? Okay, now, here's your medicine." The area was very popular so a timer was set to indicate when someone else would be getting a turn to play there.
What It Means:
Dramatic play offers children a chance to act out their understanding of the world around them. Visiting a doctor's office is a common experience for most young children and at times can be uncomfortable because they are not feeling well or are receiving childhood immunizations. When children have a chance to put themselves in the "shoes" of the doctor, they have a chance to act out fears safely and relive past experiences. In this case, taking on the role of the doctor may help the children feel "in charge" and may help some children cope with fears or anxieties. Providing a variety of themes in dramatic play according to the interests of the children sparks their imagination and keeps the classroom an exciting place to be!
Related Training:
Creativity in Dramatic Play
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