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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Lisa from San Diego, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Lisa is requesting

Food for Thought

Help me give my students pretend play items to use for dramatic play.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Lisa's classroom raised $302

This project is fully funded

My Project

Using play food in speech therapy helps students learn to see the world through the eyes of another person by fostering role-playing and interactive scenarios. When children engage in pretend play involving food, they often take on different roles such as a chef, a customer, or a family member. This role-playing encourages them to think from the perspective of others, understanding their feelings, needs, and viewpoints.

Play food scenarios often involve social interactions where children must cooperate and communicate effectively with peers.

These interactions require them to listen, respond, and adapt to their play partners' needs and perspectives, enhancing their ability to understand and empathize with others. This learning through play provides a safe environment for children to practice seeing the world from different viewpoints. Play food can also teach students to work toward alleviating suffering in others by promoting nurturing behaviors and caring interactions. When children engage in pretend play with food, they often simulate scenarios of feeding and caring for others, such as serving food to a sick doll or preparing a meal for a friend. These activities naturally encourage nurturing behaviors and help children understand the importance of providing comfort and care to others in need. Through guided play sessions, therapists can introduce scenarios where students must recognize and respond to the needs of their play partners. For example, a therapist might set up a role-play where a peer or a doll is "hungry" or "unwell," and the student must decide how to help. This type of play encourages children to think about alleviating discomfort and providing support, reinforcing the values of empathy, compassion, and altruism.

Success in students’ understanding of compassion through play food activities in speech therapy can be measured using a combination of reflective observations, structured assessments, and feedback from both peers and therapists.

Ms. Lisa Spreckels Elementary School Grades PreK-2 San Diego, CA View local requests

More than a third 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

55 students impacted 5donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Melissa And Doug Melissa & Doug Wooden Flip and Serve Pancake Set, 16 Pieces - Early Childhood-Elementary - Toddler • School Specialty $32.99 1 $32.99
Melissa & Doug Slice and Toss Salad Play Set – 52 Wooden and Felt Pieces , Green - Pretend Food, Kitchen Accessories For Kids Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $31.99 1 $31.99
Melissa & Doug Prepare & Serve Pasta Play Food Set - Wooden Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Pretend Play Kitchen Toys For Kids Ages 3+,Yellow • Amazon Business $30.59 1 $30.59
Melissa & Doug Fill & Fold Taco & Tortilla Set, 43 Pieces – Sliceable Wooden Mexican Play Food, Skillet, and More - Pretend Play Kitchen Toy For Kids Ages 3+, 16.1 x 12.0 x 2.75 • Amazon Business $23.79 1 $23.79
Melissa & Doug Fridge Food Wooden Play Food Set (9 pcs) - Pretend Play Kitchen Accessories, Play Food Sets For Kids Kitchen, Wooden Play Grocery Sets For Kids Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $22.49 1 $22.49
Melissa & Doug Wooden Pantry Products Play Food Set (9 pcs) - Pretend Play Kitchen Accessories, Wooden Play Grocery Sets For Kids Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $21.34 1 $21.34
Melissa & Doug Birthday Party Cake - Wooden Play Food With Mix-n-Match Toppings and 7 Candles • Amazon Business $19.59 1 $19.59
Melissa And Doug Melissa & Doug Let's Play House Grocery Cans with Lids, Set of 10 - Preschool-Early Childhood - Toddler • School Specialty $17.02 1 $17.02

Materials cost

$199.80

Vendor shipping charges

 $5.00

Sales tax

 $18.28

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.00

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$256.08

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$45.19

Total project goal

$301.27

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $301.27

4 Donors

-$146.49

Donations toward project cost

-$131.57

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$14.92

match offer

-$146.48

Match offer toward project cost

-$124.51

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$21.97

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.30

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Lisa and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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