Role Playing Builds Language

Role Play: Creative Learning Fun

Role playing, also known as dramatic play, helps children develop creativity, confidence, and language skills that are so important for learning to read.
  The theatre doesn’t need to be fancy. The stage can be steps, under a table, or some chairs. Then add clothes and hats for costumes and stuffed animals or dolls for more characters.
  If you plan to take your children to a new place, practice first at home by creating a little play. Children have amazing talents and creativity. They love to be silly and have fun.

Act Out Everyday Situations

Acting is Fun
  Some situations you might act out include: riding a bus, opening presents and saying “thank you” at parties, taking turns, going to the doctor or dentist, grocery shopping, banking, riding on an airplane, going to a nursing home or church, getting a hair cut, going on a train, to a play or school concert, sports event, or movie.
  To role play a bus ride set up chairs for the driver and passengers. Then take turns being the driver with stuffed animals as passengers. Put on jackets and hats for costumes. Take along backpacks, snacks, stuffed animals, a schedule, map, and fare. 
  Adults, children, and stuffed animals can talk through what will happen and what rules are needed for safety and courtesy. Practice giving the fare to the driver and practice courtesy by smiling and saying, “Hello.” Children may practice entering and leaving the bus, sitting, and saying “thank you” to the driver when they leave. 
  The courteous driver may use a pretend microphone to announce places around town and greet passengers. After the ride sing "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round." If possible, go on a real ride and point out landmarks.
Playing at Home
  Adults sometimes forget there is a new world out there every time children go somewhere for the first time. Role playing at home helps them feel more secure, gives them the words they need to express themselves, and helps prevent tears.
  Take a few pictures while role playing or experiencing the real thing and make a little four page book with a sentence and picture on each page. Preschool children can dictate the story while you write a few short sentences with correct capital and lower case printing. They may memorize the words or tell the story using the pictures, often one of the first steps to real reading.

Museum Characters Make Great Role-Play Models

Children’s Museums and Community Theatre classes have many fantastic opportunities to role play. During your next library visit pick up books about first experiences. At home act out some favorite books, videos, or stories. Include stuffed animals that talk with creative voices. 
Photos: Fran Darling: fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest
 

Preparing Kids for Change in Fall

 Children behave best when they know what to expect and have practiced what to say.  Children feel more comfortable in social situations like the first days of school if they have practiced the words needed express their feeling and needs.

fdarling fotos

  Visit the school, their room, and playground together. Where will coats, lunch, and book bags be placed? Where is the bathroom?

  Discussing and role-playing some of the tips below can be fun for the whole family, as long as, everything is kept light. The goal is to help, not create more anxiety.

Have a Plan

Experts suggest young children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night. Plan a healthy breakfast together and send a nutritious snack for mid morning. If children aren’t hungry when they first wake up, give them some water or milk and bag of nutritious cereal, toast, and cheese to munch.  This helps reduce a midmorning grouchy sugar low.

     How much time is needed to dress before breakfast and travel to school? Begin adjusting bedtimes to approximate the new schedule. Have several trial runs and add 10 minutes.

  Choose and set out clothes, backpack with notes and assignments, shoes, and weather appropriate outerwear the night before to avoid morning rush and family stress.

  Practice saying something nice to send the family on their way each morning. Attitude is important. Say “hi” with a smile to the bus or carpool driver and others.  

  At school hang up clothing and follow other school and classroom procedures. Walk and use an “indoor” school voice and open doors for adults and others. When adults use a signal to get attention, be quiet immediately and ready for instructions.

Practice Courtesy

There are many opportunities to be kind, courteous, and helpful. It is ok to let someone else go first in line or the drinking fountain if you are there at the same time. When you make a mess, clean it up. If someone else makes a mess, help them clean up.  If someone drops something, help pick it up. Place trash in the trashcan in and out of school.

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  Welcome others to join your group at recess or any other time. Welcome someone who is new to the school. Talk to another child who looks sad and ask, “Are you ok?” If there is something dangerous or hurtful tell an adult in charge.

  Use the words ”please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” Close the bathroom door, flush the toilet, wash hands, dry, and place the towel in the trash. If your stomach hurts, tell the teacher.

  At the end of the school day place all notes and papers in your backpack and be ready to share them with your family.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities... See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.