Play - Changing It Up

My dramatic play area has seen lots of change this year. It's been in one area, but it's had 6 different play opportunities.  I like changing up the play opportunities because each new play center has brought new materials and new play opportunities for my students.  Creating my own visuals has allowed me to customize each of my dramatic play centers to meet my student's interests. I have a dramatic play bundle with 7 different dramatic play centers in my TPT store.

You might be asking yourself, where do the props come from? I've collected most of the props from my house, family members, co-workers and friends. I've also purchased some props and containers. The Dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to find props and materials for school. They have a great selection of different colored containers and baskets that can be reused to create your different dramatic play areas. Several of my co-workers are always surprised at the stuff I find and can't understand why I love The Dollar Tree. I love it because it's cheap and the possibilities are endless! You just have to go in with an open mind and an eye for creativity. Amazon is another place I've found props from. If you can't find it at home and The Dollar Tree doesn't have it, try Amazon, they have everything!  Yes, it's more expensive but if I need something to finish out an area, Amazon is sure to have it and they deliver it directly to my house.  :)  Another option is to ask parents to lend or donate items for your dramatic play area.

Play is the main goal in my dramatic play center but that doesn't mean I can't add in some literacy, math or science. Using props and visuals creates an opportunity to expose the children to print, writing and math/science concepts. They are having so much fun, it's still just play to them and that is alright with me. You might notice the photos are just of the dramatic play area and don't show the students playing. I'm a special education teacher who works in an integrated classroom. Confidentiality and protecting privacy are important. I don't share pictures of my students using materials or the dramatic play sets because I wouldn't want someone sharing pictures of my child, even with the faces blurred or obstructed. Besides pictures with blurred faces are a little creepy. 

-Oh Miss Jill