Role-playing in the nursery school
Charmaine van der Merwe
1. Definition of role-playing
Role play is a type of pretend play where children get into character and act out a role or real life context. Role play is an active, social activity where children can get into character and use role play to reflect on previous experience and develop their knowledge of a topic.
2. Setting-up role play activities with your child
- By getting the kids to make up the role play area with you and establish rules together, they are more likely to develop a sense of responsibility for it. Children need to understand that the role play area is there for them to enjoy and there are rules.
- Rules need to be clearly established with (or by) the children and an adult can prompt discussions or ask questions to help children think about their pretend environment and learn from it.
3. Why is role play so effective?
- Role play is an effective learning tool as it encourages children to become active participants in their learning. They can move about, put themselves in someone else`s shoes, perhaps wear a costume and use props, communicate and make decisions in character, which will allow them to take risks and explore different areas. Learning from role play is therefore far more likely to stick with children than for example doing exercise sheets, mostly because they will be much more willing and enthusiastic!
- As a teacher, it is a great sign if you see the children you teach in the playground acting out what they have just learnt. This shows that you have grabbed their attention and engaged their curiosity.
- Most role play areas will reflect a real life context. Role play is therefore an effective way for children to make sense of the world around them. Setting up a doctor`s room, fire station, supermarket, police station or even swimming pool will allow children to explore these real life contexts. In any role play area there can be opportunities to develop children`s writing and Mathematic skills. Just leaving a pen and paper out will encourage children to `write` or `mark-make` without a fear of getting something wrong. For example, when setting up a supermarket, you could make blank shopping lists for the children to write on or give them pre-made shopping lists for them to collect items e.g. 3 oranges 5 lemons - this will encourage younger children to practice counting for a purpose other than assessment in a classroom.
4. Impact on language learning
- Role play is especially beneficially for developing language, both for children with English as an additional language and for English as home language.
- With vocabulary and language, role play develops communication skills of toddlers as they communicate with each other in a safe play- environment. Role play is the most effective way of acquiring language.
5. Key benefits of role playing
- Develops communication and language skills;
- Allows children to act out and make sense of real-life situations;
- Allows children to explore, investigate and experiment;
- Develops social skills as children collaborate with others;
- Children learn to empathize with others, taking part in a role play activity would usually mean that you are taking on the role of character which will teach children about the empathy and understanding of different perspectives;
- Helps children learn about different cultures;
- Encourages children to express their ideas and feelings in a relaxed environment;
- Develops children's awareness of themselves and others;
- Gets children learning more as learning is disguised as play;
- Sparks creativity and imagination.
In essence, role play provides opportunities to develop skills in various different areas of the curriculum for example: numbers, history, culture and many other areas.
Role play is a great way to learn at all ages!