Preschoolers are known for acting with impulse,
so dramatic play is a great stepping stone for learning to self-regulate their
emotions and actions. When children
accept roles in dramatic play they are motivated to stick to them, thinking of
them as rules to follow. Having their own rules helps them develop the ability
to coordinate and plan with others as well as control their imagination.
Both unstructured and structured dramatic play
offer teachable moments about conflict resolution. Inevitably, disagreements
will naturally arise during dramatic play, which offers children a chance to
work through their differences and arrange a compromise. It also
encourages children to consider alternate perspectives as they recognize various
roles of people in their lives and communities.
Here at the Academy of Harpeth Village we put
together two separate places for dramatic play in each room and let their
imaginations fly.
