The Children's School Three's Program 

Young children get great joy from putting on costumes and transforming into doctors, nurses, construction workers, dancers, teachers and grocery store workers.  Besides the fact that this type of play is just plain fun, it is also an important avenue for children's learning and development.  When a child puts on a doctor's coat and stethoscope (self-esteem and independence), many things take place.  She has to talk to her patients and listen to why they have come to her office (communication).  She can scribble/write on a clipboard and then take care of her patient by giving medicine, checking a heartbeat or putting on a band aid (interaction and cooperation).  Children who are wrapped up in dramatic play have the opportunity to use and develop an understanding of the vocabulary and concepts introduced by the teachers at circle time (discovery and exploration).  Just about everything a child does helps with physical development, from scribbling on a clipboard to putting on a stethoscope and using it to check a friend's heartbeat.