Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers

Costumes and props help toddlers stretch their imaginations.

Dramatic play provides a way for toddlers to learn about their world. Even though pretending may sometimes look like it is frivolous or that it does not provide a real learning experience, dramatic play actually helps develop vital skills. One- and two-year olds increase verbal abilities, learn to solve problems, and build social relationships through imaginative play. They also begin to think symbolically when they pretend that an object stands for something that it is not.

Imitating Family Members

Very young children learn to interact with their environments by mimicking their parents and other people in their lives. They will enjoy using a bowl and spoon to practice cooking, a mop for cleaning, and dolls to care for a baby. They may also like to pretend to drive a car, talk on a telephone, or play with tools that their mom or dad uses.

Imitating Community Members

As toddlers have more experiences in their neighborhoods, they will enjoy pretending to check food at a grocery store or help an imaginary customer try on shoes. They will want to make sounds like the garbage truck or fire engine they see outside and imitate the workers that use them. A toddler may act like a preacher, teacher, athlete, doctor, or nurse whom she sees.

Imitating Animals

Pretending to be an animal helps a child think symbolically.

Young children often enjoy pretending to be a pet dog or cat. They may crawl on their hands and knees and bark or meow. As they see other animals on a farm or at a zoo, toddlers learn to make more animal sounds and move in different ways to imitate them. Simple props to enhance their appearance, such as a fuzzy sweater or a tail made from yarn, can keep their imaginations active for extended periods of time.

Imitating Fictional Characters

As toddlers listen to stories, whether they are in the form of picture books or age-appropriate videos, they will want to try acting them out. Children can use a wooden spoon for a wand and pretend to be a fairy. A broom can be transformed into a horse for a cowboy, or a scarf can create a princess. As they approach nursery school age, kids may develop complex scenes with their peers where each child takes a role. They may be able to act out “The Three Little Pigs,” for example, with very little input from an adult.

References

• Western Illinois University: Dramatic Play
• Child Care Quarterly: Dramatic Play

Resources

• Perpetual Preschool: Dramatic Activities