Creativity, Coordination, and Communication: The Importance of Play-Based Learning
Help me give my students a dramatic play center to explore real life situations like cooking, shopping, and different careers through imaginative and open-ended play.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Steinle's classroom raised $962
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students are the most loving, creative, and social group of kids. They love to work together- they can and WILL turn any activity into group work. Each and every one of them comes to school in the morning with a story to share and a caring ear to listen to other's stories.
In our room we strive to embrace our differences and build each other up as we learn!
The community we have built in our classroom is rooted in each of their hearts. They are always looking for ways to help each other and the school. If you were to walk into my classroom you would see 25 students using each others' strengths to better themselves and their friends around them.
My Project
Play-Based Learning is an essential part of the early childhood classroom, it encourages creativity, enhances fine-motor skills, and helps build social skills. The materials needed for play are not as commonly found in a 2nd grade classroom, but that doesn't mean it stops being an important part of their learning. Now, more than ever before, in the wake of COVID-19 play-based learning is crucial for young learners. My 2nd graders spent their first few years of school behind a computer screen and missed many opportunities to grow and learn through play with their peers.
By donating to our project you will help provide my 2nd graders with the materials for a dramatic play center in our classroom where they can use their imagination to act out real life situations.
One part of our center would be a play kitchen. I requested a play kitchen and food that will allow my students to act out what they see or imagine happens in a kitchen. They will be able to prepare, cook, and serve various foods. It will also help expose them to healthy foods. Another part of our center is materials to dress up as different careers. This allows students to engage with the different careers we see in our community, like doctors, construction workers, cashiers, and police officers. Lastly, I asked for play figures that depict diverse families and community helpers that will allow my students to use the figures to verbalize what they see families do.
In my title I mentioned three important skills that play encourages: Creativity, Coordination, and Communication. A dramatic play center will allow my 2nd graders to use their imagination, work on fine-motor skills, and practice social-emotional communication.
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
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Toy Kitchen With “Ice” Cube Dispenser – Charcoal
• Amazon Business
$161.52
1
$161.52
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register, Classic Counting Toy, Kids Cash Register,73 Pieces, Ages 3+ & Pretend and Play, Play Money, Counting, Math, Currency, 150 Pieces, Ages 3+
• Amazon Business
$40.48
1
$40.48
Pretend Professionals 12 Pretend Career Figures Creative Minds
• Amazon Business
$35.98
1
$35.98
Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor’s Kit Play Set – 25 Toy Pieces
• Amazon Business
$28.83
1
$28.83
Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set (24 pcs)
• Amazon Business
$26.98
1
$26.98
Melissa & Doug Fire Chief Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set- FFP
• Amazon Business
$25.99
1
$25.99
Melissa & Doug Construction Worker Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set (6 pcs) Frustration-Free Packaging
• Amazon Business
$25.99
1
$25.99
Melissa & Doug Slice and Toss Salad Play Food Set – 52 Wooden and Felt Pieces , Green
• Amazon Business
$25.99
1
$25.99
Melissa & Doug Prepare & Serve Pasta Play Food Set
• Amazon Business
$23.99
1
$23.99
Marvel Pretend Play Family - Caucasian Dolls - Set of 8, 1 L x 2 W x 5 H in
• Amazon Business
$22.93
1
$22.93
Melissa & Doug Scientist Role Play Costume Set (X pcs) - Lab Coat, Goggles, 6 Experiments
• Amazon Business
$21.99
1
$21.99
Melissa & Doug Hair Stylist Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set (7 pcs)
• Amazon Business
$21.99
1
$21.99
Melissa & Doug Police Officer Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set (8 pcs) Frustration-Free Packaging Multicolor, Ages 3-6 Years
• Amazon Business
$21.99
1
$21.99
Marvel - 136 Education Pretend Play Hispanic Family, Toy Figures for Kids
• Amazon Business
$21.26
1
$21.26
Cre8tive Minds African American Family Doll Set, Multicolor, 1 L x 2 W x 5 H in
• Amazon Business
$20.95
1
$20.95
Melissa & Doug Wooden Make-a-Cake Mixer Set (11 pcs) - Play Food and Kitchen Accessories
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Melissa & Doug Sushi Slicing Wooden Play Food Set
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Melissa & Doug Wooden Pantry Products Play Food Set (9 pcs)
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Melissa & Doug Baking Play Set (20 pcs) - Play Kitchen Accessories
• Amazon Business
$17.99
1
$17.99
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Kitchen Accessory Set - Pots & Pans (8 pcs)
• Amazon Business
$17.99
1
$17.99
Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set - Wooden Play Food Kitchen Accessory
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Melissa & Doug Wooden Pizza Play Food Set With 63 Toppings
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Melissa & Doug 11-Piece Coffee Set (FFP),Multi
• Amazon Business
$15.19
1
$15.19
Melissa & Doug Food Groups - 21 Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates
• Amazon Business
$14.29
1
$14.29
Boys Toys Gifts Age 3-6 , Kids Apron for Toddlers Kids Cooking Sets Toys for 3-6 Year Old Boys Girls Kids Chef Hat and Apron Christma Birthday Gifts for Kids Stocking Stuffer for Kids Blue
• Amazon Business
$12.98
1
$12.98
Materials cost
$713.24
Vendor shipping charges
$5.00
Sales tax
$58.13
3rd party payment processing fee
$10.70
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$817.07
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$144.19
Total project goal
$961.26
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$961.26
1 Donor
-$480.63
Donations toward project cost
-$408.54
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$72.09
match offer
-$480.62
Match offer toward project cost
-$408.53
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Steinle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
