Big Dreams in Small Costumes: Exploring Careers Through Dramatic Play
Help me give my students career-themed dress-up costumes that inspire imagination, language, and future dreams.
$579 goal
This project expired on September 11, 2025.
This project expired on September 11, 2025.
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
In our special education TK-1st grade classroom, play is more than just fun—it’s a vital part of how students learn. My students thrive when given hands-on, multi-sensory experiences that allow them to explore, imagine, and express themselves. Many of them are English language learners or have developmental delays that make traditional instruction difficult. Dramatic play helps bridge that gap. By dressing up and pretending, students build important early skills in language, social development, and even self-regulation.
These career costumes will give my students a way to step into real-world roles—like a doctor, firefighter, chef, or construction worker—sparking conversations, expanding vocabulary, and giving them a window into future possibilities.
This project connects to visual arts by encouraging imaginative expression through movement and storytelling. The costumes are specially designed to be easy-on and size-inclusive, making them ideal for students who may struggle with fine motor skills or need adaptive clothing options.
Each day, my students practice communication through structured play and guided peer interaction. These costumes will support our goals in building language, supporting social skills, and even introducing early career awareness. Whether they're pretending to be a veterinarian caring for animals or a postal worker delivering mail, they’ll be learning valuable skills while playing with purpose. Thank you for considering helping our classroom bring learning to life!
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
HBCU Alum13 students impacted
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