This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Our class is culturally diverse group of 3-5 years of age, and is evenly split between boys and girls. About half of our children will be returning next year, and the other half will be off to Kindergarten!
The older group enjoys the role of leading by example to help the younger set follow routines and expectations-little peer mentors!
They are quite a mix of personalities, with the older children being a little more laid back, and the younger set being a bit more rambunctious.
My Project
Dramatic play, (also known as symbolic play,) is a necessary component of early childhood education. Opportunities to engage in this type of play helps foster children's social-emotional development, while also: supporting language development; and making math and literacy experiences more meaningful, increasing the likelihood of academic success.
Dramatic play gives children the opportunity to assign and accept roles as they plan and coordinate different scenarios.
It is a self-directed activity during which children are able to establish their own expectations for these roles. The ability to set and follow expectations aids in children’s development of self-regulation. Teachers provide a "safe place" to act out real-life situations while utilizing teachable moments to model positive conflict resolution skills.
Imaginative play also aids in language development. Assigning and fulfilling roles within a group involves an extensive amount of communicating with peers. Reenacting familiar roles, and developing fantasy ones encourages the use of expressive communication. Teachers can further foster language development during these interactions by engaging in some scenarios with students, and asking open ended questions requiring dialogue.
When children are interested in subject matter being taught, they are more likely to show progress. Dramatic play makes topics like literacy and math more relatable. It allows children to explore different purposes for text. Providing a dramatic play area with props and functional text (restaurant menus, maps, signs…) gives children the opportunity to interact with text the way adults do, essentially teaching them in meaningful ways how it's used in real life. Symbolic play also fosters children’s math development. By setting up a grocery store or restaurant theme, math can be embedded into dramatic play as they pretend to weigh produce and count money. Teachers can make these experiences more meaningful by modeling how we use math in real life scenarios initiated by children.
Melissa & Doug Freestanding Wooden Fresh Mart Grocery Store (Wooden Grocery Stand, Ample Shelving, Creative Playtime, 42” H x 27.5” W x 35” L)
• Amazon Business
$173.85
1
$173.85
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen
• Amazon Business
$127.77
1
$127.77
Milliard Dress Up Storage Kids Costume Organizer Center Open Hanging Armoire Closet Unit Furniture for Dramatic Play with Mirror Baskets and Hooks
• Amazon Business
$74.99
1
$74.99
KidKraft Espresso Laundry Set
• Amazon Business
$74.79
1
$74.79
Black and Decker Jr. Barbecue Grill
• Amazon Business
$67.95
1
$67.95
68 Piece Workbench W Realistic Tools & ELECTRIC DRILL for Construction Workshop Tool Bench, STEM Educational Pretend Play, Toolbox Birthday Gift toys for Boys & girls age 3, 4, 5, 6 yrs - 12 years old
• Amazon Business
$29.38
1
$29.38
Doctor Kit Pretend Play Doctor Playset Electronic Stethoscope Durable Carrycase with 16 Medical Accessories Role Play Game for Early Education For Kids 3 4 Years Old
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
KidKraft Metal Accessories Set
• Amazon Business
$9.17
1
$9.17
Materials cost
$570.89
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.56
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$609.45
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$107.55
Total project goal
$717.00
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$717.00
9 Donors
-$359.00
Donations toward project cost
-$305.15
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$53.85
match offer
-$358.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$304.30
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. Turner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.