Introducing the Center
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At the beginning of the school year, teachers should talk with their students about the expectations for the dramatic play center. You can ask the children what they think the rules for the area should be, list these on paper, discuss as a class, and decide on final thoughts. Teachers will need to review these expectations throughout the year, especially when a change to the center is made.
Some common reminders that children may need are:
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Remember that children need lots of reminders. Any conversations of the center should be treated as learning experiences.
The Teacher’s Role
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After teachers introduce the learning center, their job is not over. Rarely are children able to begin dramatic play without any bumps in the road, and that’s okay! Know that in the first few days or even weeks that students will need increased supervision.
Teachers will need to model appropriate behaviors and interactions for their students to see. It is also the job of the educator to challenge students and really get them thinking. This is where open-ended questions and high-level thinking come into play. Generate a list of questions that require more thought, instead of a simple “yes” or “no” answer. These questions usually begin with “why, how, or what”. |
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