How can you add literacy learning into dramatic play with out it being boring?

Question

How can you add literacy learning into dramatic play with out it being boring?

Answer 1

Check out this book...All about litercy and dramatic play.  Your local library probably can get it for you.  You can incorporate literacy without them even knowing it!  



Literacy Play : Over 300 Dramatic Play Activities that Teach Pre-Reading Skills by Amy Cox and Sherrie West

Answer 2

? dramatic play is all about literacy learning - speaking and listening skills, communicating with others,

dressing up clothes provide the opportunity to think about how other people act - children often use a different tone to their voice during dramatic play

provide labels (with pictures) for objects used

provide familiar story books to accompany costumes

after reading a story, provide props for the children to re- enact the story eg for the 3 bears provide 3 bowls, 3 spoons

Watch the children during dramatic play and see what interests them - let this inform your planning eg if they always pretend to be spiderman, make a collection of things beginning with the letter S and display them with a picture of spiderman

I'm not sure if this is the kind of thing you want or if you want ideas for an actual lesson

Answer 3

I have seen many times th eteachers write the names of objects on notecards and tape the card to the object. Sounds crazy, but the kids do pay attention and they do get familiar with those words. I would have index cards on everything...LOL

While they are playing you can give them a little direction and ask them to act out a certain something, they are having to listen, comprehend and follow through with the directions given.

You could also make a game of letters and hold up a card with a letter on it and ask the students to get up and go touch something that begins with that letter.

You can just sing the alphabet song and hold up each letter as they sing it.

The sky is the limit! Good luck!!

Answer 4

Props for the stories you read so that they can re-enact the story.

Clipboard for writing grocery lists.

Menus.

Play phone and note pad for taking messages.

Labels on all items. Labels on containers so they can put things away.

Books in a basket.

Answer 5

The easiest way is to think about where you see words when you are doing the tasks presented in real life.  for example if you have it set up as a home area you could add paper and pencil for a grocery list or even an illustrated list that they could check off what they need at the store.  If you have a play phone in your area you can make a phone book where each page has a picture of one of the children in the room and their home phone number(clear this with parents first) or made up phone numbers.  You can also add numbers like 911 and the local pizza delivery place with pictures or clip art to help link the written word to meaning.  

Resteraunt: you can make an illustrated menu with clipart or pictures and provide an apron with a pocket to put a small pad and pencil in for taking orders.

Another food related one that I just did for a theme focused on lunch was to create a sandwich shop.  I created sandwich pieces and fixings from fun foam and felt and then made menu cards that showed how to assemble the sandwich in order.

you can add it to just about any dramatic play.  Clipboards and pencils make a great start.  I was a little scared to try this at first b/c I have a very mixed age preschool class and have children who don't have the impulse control to write only on paper but they learn in a hurry if you have to take it away one time.  

labeling things is also a wonderful way to get literacy into anything.  even just adding labels to your shelves with pictures so that children are making connections at cleanuptime.