Table 7.3: Prop Box Themes and MaterialsTo effectively facilitate sociodramatic and pretend play, teachers must keep in mind that their goal is to balance childrens opportunities to direct their own activity with appropriate intervention or participation when needed to extend and develop play themes. Children may stop playing simply because they get “stuck” and not necessarily because they have played out an idea to their satisfaction. They may need additional props, more information about a topic, or assistance with solving an interpersonal or logistical problem. |
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| Theme | Materials | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Travel/Recreation Themes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beach or pool | Towels, blanket, folding lawn/beach chairs, sunglasses, hats, umbrella, flip-flops, radio, water wings, inflatable raft, small cooler, beach ball, Frisbee, empty sunscreen bottle, buckets/shovels and sand molds, snorkel, lifeguard hat or T-shirt, whistle, first aid kit, bathing suits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fishing, camping, hiking | Tent, camp stools, sleeping bag, cooler, fishing pole, bobbers, wading boots, tackle box, scoop or cast net, fishing license; binoculars; canteen or water bottle, compass, flashlight, backpack, small grill, hooded sweatshirts and hiking pants/shorts; hiking boots, knee high socks, utility belt, weather radio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Road trip | Suitcases, maps, wallet, money, credit cards, postcards, cellphone, camera, lap games, snacks, travel pillow, car seat, binoculars, tickets, pet carrier, sunglasses, travel magazines or information leaflets, such as those for national/state parks or an amusement park | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airplane trip | Tickets, suit jackets, name badges, security wand, cardboard box for x-ray machine, suitcases, passport, wallet, ID cards, neck pillow, cellphone, magazines, water bottles, travel posters, cart, empty snack and drink containers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail Themes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grocery store or vegetable stand | Empty, cleaned boxes, cans, egg cartons, and other food containers, apron, toy vegetables, bins/baskets, cardstock for signs, shopping cart, cash register, counter space, purses/wallets, coupons, newspaper advertising circulars, grocery bags | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frozen yogurt/ice cream store | Small table and chairs, scoops, empty/cleaned ice cream and whipped cream containers and play money, bowls, spoons, confetti for toppings, cash register, apron, paper cones, clipboard/order pad and pencils, paper for signs and wipe-off or chalkboard for “specials” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pizza shop | Empty pizza boxes, play money and order pads, phone, aprons, cash register, box or play oven, pizza paddle, cardboard circles and cutouts or play dough for shells, plastic pizza cutter, toppings, paper for signs, wipe-off board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Local restaurant | Menus from local establishments, paper for signs and wipe-off board for daily specials, table and tablecloth, table setting items, waiter/waitress tray, order pad, uniform or apron, chef hat, area for cooking, play food | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salon/spa | Combs, brushes, wall and hand mirror, rollers and hair pins, spray bottles, appointment book, chair, magazines and pictures of hair models, plastic cape, nonworking dryer and curling iron, empty shampoo and hair product bottles, towels, basin, empty nail polish bottles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bookstore/library | Books, magazines, old keyboard, cozy chairs or beanbags, library cards, wallet, credit cards, play money, boxes for book cases, cash register, “Sh-h-h” sign, reading glasses, paper coffee cups | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hospital | Sheets, pillow, stethoscope, masks, scrubs, white coat, booties, first aid items, flashlight, latex gloves, thermometer, x-ray films, crutches, empty medicine containers, Rx pad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Veterinarian | White coat, stuffed animals or puppets, gloves, first aid items, stethoscope, pet carrier, leash, play money, paper and pencils, exam table, magazines about animals, splint and gauze, eye patch, paper ear cone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repair shop | Tool box, tools, safety glasses, broken/nonusable items such as CD player, camera, alarm clock, watches, small appliances, name tags, order pad, workbench, plastic bins and miscellaneous hardware parts, pvc, measuring tape, level, work shirt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office | File folders, desk organizers, paper, markers, pens, ruler, old keyboard and/or printer, phone, paper clips, stapler, briefcase or rolling suitcase, box to make copy machine, eyeglasses, desk nameplate, photo frames, table/chairs, books, office catalogs, empty water cooler bottle and paper cups | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table 7.3: Prop Box Themes and Materials
To effectively facilitate sociodramatic and pretend play, teachers must keep in mind that their goal is to balance childrens opportunities to direct their own activity with appropriate intervention or participation when needed to extend and develop play themes. Children may stop playing simply because they get “stuck” and not necessarily because they have played out an idea to their satisfaction. They may need additional props, more information about a topic, or assistance with solving an interpersonal or logistical problem.