Have you noticed your child (ren)’s Pretend Plays are morphing into more complex activities?
Does s/he:
- want to use “real” objects instead of “make-believe” ones?
- try to include as many people as possible?
- create more than a few “roles/jobs” for the settings?
- have specific rules for each part?
- spend a lot of time organizing the outlay of the setting?
- tag & label everything?
- come close to writing out a “script” for each participant?
- produce a detailed list of “The Plan”?
Sounds like “all work and no play”?????
His/her growing vocabulary with the multiple, diverse experiences of a classroom are influencing the way s/he approaches many activities now.
You can help facilitate these lively entertainments so the action may begin.
The Brainstorming Process
Either on the white board, chalkboard or large piece of paper, draw this graphic:
Write the Scenario Title in the top Orange rectangle. Then, list all the Roles/Jobs. Under each of them, have your child list the descriptors & special needs of each one. In the Materials/Props section, list the General things needed, such as tables , bins, crates, labels, tags, etc. Check off each thing as it becomes available/acquired. Celebrate the achievement with “Opening Day!”
Gathering the Stuff
Take your child(ren)with you as the selection of stuff begins. Here are a few suggestions of places that won’t break the household bank:
- yard & rummage sales
- Goodwill & resale shops
- discount & $ stores
- your household
- your recycling bin
- your crafting table
- neighbor swaps
- several internet sites, such as kidizen, fractuslearning, ecolife
And a word about storing the stuff…. stack-able bins with lids & slide the signage & labels in front of the collector containers.
SOOOO, just in case you & yours might need a few “Scenario” ideas & tips…….read on because I’ve created a few organization tables for the 6 Multiplex Pretend Plays I hope will help. The Titles & “Roles/Jobs” are only suggestions as part of the descriptions. And, there are plenty of “holes”, but, hopefully, these will get you & yours started….
Scenario One: Learning Center
This Pretend Play can definitely be a real-deal as a “fun” and meaningful place to study, get homework assignments completed, research & discover, think about creations & inventions, and quietly collect information & plan. Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE/JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Materials& Tools Manager helps teachers gather & organize materials & tools; makes sure they are in working condition; offers suggestions for additional supplies; helps teachers put away supplies bins for organizing supplies, materials & tools : small dry eraser boards, magazines, books, comics; pencils, writing & drawing papers, books, crayons, glues, scissors, boards, markers, manipulatives inventory sheets; suggestion notes; order forms materials & tools bins; general supplies
Great Reader assists with reading/decoding words, comprehension strategies & phonics skills; sight word practice; helps with vocabulary words; reads aloud to model fluency; asks story element questions leveled books; graphic organizers for comprehension & vocabulary; dictionaries, spellers; variety of games for reading skills; magnetic letters materials & tool needs; "student" performance notes; graphic organizers; comprehension & vocabulary sheets sight words, vocabulary, phonics, comprehension
Wonderful Writer provides ideas & strategies for writing a variety of forms; helps with editing; shares suggestions for improvement graphic organizers; journals; handwriting paper; blank books, index cards, lists & greeting cards; spelling books; grammar charts; vocabulary cards; formula charts for different types of writing; prompts; grammar & structure games graphic organizers; materials & tools order sheets blank books, journals, spelling & vocabulary aids
Math Magician helps with understanding word problems & solutions; checks computation accuracy; works on understanding the processes of math manipulatives; info charts for computation & word problem solving skills; a variety of math games; graph paper; magnetic numbers materials & tools order forms specific game skills; manipulatives; journals;
History Expert helps with understanding time lines, community helpers; government; biographies, important event; brainstorms & helps with projects info charts; games; reference cards & books; lots of historical photos; crafting materials for making cultural artifacts; games; hats/clothing order forms, graphic organizers games; craft materials; photos, books,
Superb Scientist helps with understanding concepts through discovery & experiments "lab" types tools & materials; info charts; safety goggles; gloves; lab coat; journals; books to help with inquiry & info scientific method forms; supply requests books; journals; safety equipment; experiment supplies
Health Advisor talks about concerns, such as sicknesses, injuries, nutrition, exercise, sleep, everyday worries nutrition, exercise & body charts; bandages & band-aids; soap & water; healthy snacks; thoughts & feelings journals;pillow & soft animals; puppets; games; drawing tools supply needs; "patient" info (in/out); info sheets for nutrition, exercise; "feel better" snacks; medicines; talk & feel-it-out supplies; games; info sheets
Scenario Two: Farm Tour
This is a great way to get outdoor, unstructured play mixed in to your child’s organized Pretend Play while teaching & learning about a BUNCH of life lessons. This scenario can be divided & rotated into a variety of creative, meaningful center activities. It can, also, transition into the next scenario: Fresh Goods Market. Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE / JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Animal Caretaker checks & keeps animals healthy; feeds & cleans them; makes sure barn, stalls & pens are clean; gathers eggs; milks cows, goats and/or sheep; shears goats and/or sheep; makes sure pastures are ready feed, cleaners for animals & stalls, medicines; hay; water troughs; shearers; bags for wool/fur; buckets supply needs; animal health forms; daily animal output feed; cleaners; medicines
Groundskeeper gets earth ready for planting crops; keeps pasture growing; helps crop manager; sets & repairs fences planting tools & machinery; hardware, tools & materials for building & repair work; truck for hauling supply needs; receipt forms building & repair tools; forms; hardware
Crop Manager plants seeds; weeds, waters & fertilizes; watches the health & growth of the crops seeds, fertilizers & water lines; "gardening" & crop tools supply needs; receipt forms seeds; fertilizer; forms, tools
Harvester gathers ready crops; prepares crops for selling & artisan-making truck for hauling, boxes & bags; harvesting tools supply needs; daily harvest records; delivery form fruit & veggies; herbs & flowers; tools; forms
Artisan makes items from produce, herbs & dairy to sell at market jars, boxes, baskets, paper, cloth for sachets, bags for herbal teas, potpourri, & bath; molds for candles & soaps, flower & herb buckets, supply needs; customer requests; supply inventory lists; product inventory list; sales records products; supply organizers
Market Manager merchandises produce, herbs, flowers & artisan goods to sell; manages roadside or farm's market display cases; scales, bags, baskets, carts; tables; cash register sales tickets; inventory lists; supply needs produce & prices; herbs & flowers w/ prices; artisan goods
Scenario Three: Fresh Goods Market
This is a great way to introduce the Farm To Table concept. You can, also, divide & rotate several of these sections, like Good Earth Goods could be just a florist & produce manager, or A Baker with a Deli, or Flour & Flowers. A little cafe or bistro could be part of one of these scenarios, too. Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE / JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Floral Designer creates flower bouquets in containers or wraps in paper; writes sales ticket; arranges flowers deliveries in buckets & on shelves; orders flowers & plants to sell buckets, vases, baskets, decorative containers, paper, ribbon, scissors, apron, name tag sales tickets, order forms, inventory sheets, supply lists flowers, plants, containers, tools, forms
Produce Manager receives & puts away clean produce; daily check of produce for quality; helps customers; set out samples; makes gift baskets;creates & puts out signs with prices produce bins;plastic baskets, paper bags; scales; shreds for produce placement; apron, name tag sales tickets, inventory sheets, order forms, supply lists fruits, veggies, bags, containers, forms
Bakery Boss makes, arranges & sells baked goods; keeps an inventory of ingredients & items; dates all items; makes gift baskets with produce & baked items; creates signs with prices ingredients, tools, dishes & pans needed for baking; bags, boxes, paper; display plates; apron, name tag special order forms, inventory lists, supply lists, sales tickets ingredients; baking pans & tools, dishes; cookbooks & recipes; forms; packaging item
Delivery Driver makes stops & delivers ordered items; checks to make sure orders match the delivery tickets; helps settle items in the correct place truck, boxes, supplies; name tag, wagon inventory sheets, delivery tickets. order forms fruit. veggies, flowers, plants,packaging items, bakery ingredients, paper goods
Store Supervisor checks in delivery orders; receives & sends new orders for store departments; helps each dept in customer service & sales; makes sure all areas are clean & organized; opens & closes market; works on advertising telephone, catalogues, keys, cleaning supplies; name tag department checks; supply lists forms; lists, supplies
Cashier adds all customer sales tickets together per purchase; keeps daily record of sales per department; takes money from customers; can help with customer service; apron, name tag register, cash box, large bags, calculator inventory sheets, sales records; receipt tape from register forms.register, calculator & money, bags
Scenario Four: Nature’s Treasures Museum & Exhibits
Another fun way to get your child (ren) outdoors for hours of exploration & discovery is part of this scenario. Nature is full of treasures to be shared in a display. Special exhibits can be organized with a tour guide. Let the archaeology digs begin! Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE / JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Doctor Dig: archaeologist explores, digs & discovers ancient, historical relics & artifacts;identifies & labels the finds; brings them to the museum curator brushes , digging tools, containers, backpack; water, snacks, flashlight, magnifying glass, paper, pens, name & position tag inventory list of finds; supply lists; specific items cards with name, date of item, where & when discovered digging tools, forms, find identifiers,
Doctor Bio: plant life expert explores, discovers & identifies leaves, flowers, grasses, seeds, bark; labels & prepares them for the museum; organizes an exhibit; works with other experts for diorama displays reference book, containers, brushes, water, magnifying glass, paper, name & position tag, clear/plastic slides, sanitary gloves, collector apron inventory list of finds; supply lists; specific items cards with name, date of item, where & when discovered classifying tools, organizing tools, working, forms
Doctor Geo: rock specialist explores, discovers & identifies rocks, stones, pebbles, fossils, dirt & sand; labels & prepares them for the museum; organizes an exhibit; works with other experts for diorama displays reference book, containers, brushes, water, magnifying glass,sanitary gloves, collector apron, name & position tag inventory list of finds; supply lists; specific items cards with name, date of item, where & when discovered classifying tools, organizing tools, working, forms
Doctor Zoa: animal expert explores, discovers & identifies bones, mammals, insects, reptiles, fish, shells, fossils; labels & prepares them for the museum; organizes an exhibit; works with other experts for diorama displays reference book, photos,drawings, sculptures, magnifying glass, paper & clay figures, stuffed animals, containers, brushes, water,sanitary gloves, collector apron, name & position tag inventory list of finds; supply lists; specific items cards with name, date of item, where & when discovered classifying tools, organizing tools, working, forms
Doctor Data: museum curator manages museum collections & exhibits; makes sure security is scheduled; promotes museum & exhibits; keeps museum clean & organized name & position tag, advertising connections, suit inventory list of objects, schedule of exhibits, contact list, membership forms, fundraising invitations paperwork to do, paperwork done
Doctor Info: tour guide schedules museum & exhibit tours; has all the information needed to give to tour groups name & position tag, info guides, dressy clothes, microphone museum & exhibits maps;museum & exhibits info guides maps, info guides
Scenario Five: Visual Arts Studio & Gallery
Including the Arts in your child(ren)’s Pretend Play world is one of the important activities you can do. The interactions are quite memorable and contribute greatly to all areas of his/her(their) growth & development. Depending on personality, one or several of the Visual Arts expressions will be beneficial to your child(ren). Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE / JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Sculptor creates shapes using a variety of materials; titles the pieces for presentation clay, paper mache, sand & glue, wax, wires, carving tools, paper, work shirt cards for titling work, supply list needs tools, sculpture materials, paperwork/cards
Photographer captures & prints images using a camera; titles the pieces for presentation camera, printer OR magazines to cut out pictures & mount on cardstock cards for titling work, supply list needs images, cardstock, tools, forms
Painter creates pictures on papers, wood & canvas using paints & watercolors; titles the pieces for presentation paper, boards, easels, clothes, paints,palette, brushes, watercolors, work shirt cards for titling work, supply list needs picture boards/papers, tools, paints & brushes
Illustrator creates drawings on paper using inks, charcoal, paints, crayons, etc; titles the pieces for presentation papers, inks, markers, crayons, pencils, charcoal, work shirt cards for titling work, supply list needs papers, drawing tools, forms
Printer creates images using ink & carved stamps;titles the pieces for presentation stamps, ink pads, paints,sponges, blocks, buttons, cardboard, paper, work shirt cards for titling work, supply list needs stamps, ink/paint, papers, tools, forms
Mixed Media Creator creates collages & mobiles using a variety of materials; titles the pieces for presentation papers; wire, string, stickers, magazines, glue, scissors, glitz, recyclables cards for titling work, supply list needs papers, stickums, tools, recyclables, forms
Gallery Curator organizes shows of the artist(s)'s works; acts as a guide during the shows clothesline, tables, boxes, contact list invitations, inventory list paperwork
Critic / Columnist writes reviews of the artist's works & shows for newspapers & magazines paper, pencils, photos article submissions writing tools
Scenario Six: Performing Arts Studio & Stage
This is one scenario you MUST encourage! As children, my siblings & I constructed a stage with a microphone using tinker toys. We provided ourselves, parents & anyone else who would be an audience with hours of pure entertainment. The price of admission: priceless! Here’s a table of ideas & suggestions:
ROLE / JOB DESCRIPTION MATERIALS & TOOLS FORMS LABELS
Dancer uses body movements to express feelings and/or interpret music music, costumes, shoes/slippers, makeup supply list needs music, clothing, makeup
Singer uses voice to express & interpret music music sounds & words, costumes, microphone, makeup supply list needs music, clothing, makeup
Comedian uses body & voice to share humor about anything script, props, microphone supply list needs scripts, props
Actor uses body & voice to portray & interpret characters in a scene script, props,sets, costumes,makeup supply list needs scripts, props, clothing, makeup
Musician uses instruments to interpret & create music music, instruments, microphones, costumes, makeup supply list needs music, instruments, clothing, makeup
Circus Artist uses body movements & props to share & interpret feelings & strength music, costumes, shoes/slippers, props, set, makeup supply list needs music, clothing, props, makeup
Magician uses body & props to create an illusion of magic props, set, costumes, makeup supply list needs props, clothing, makeup
Stage Manager organizes & prepares for performances on stage for an audience; creates & provides posters, office signs, programs, tickets papers, pencils, photos, markers, tickets, money, cash box, microphone, lighting, props for stage setting; full-length mirror, helpers & water backstage programs, office signs, supply inventory papers, props, lights & microphones
AND, of course, invitations must be extended. Click on the link below to download & print a template for each of the 6 Scenarios templates:
PretendPlayRealityShows Invites
Hope you & yours are able to grow with & enjoy some of these more complex Pretend Play Reality Shows. I’d love to hear from you. Send comments & pics!
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