1. Session 4

1.5. Page 2

CCS3130 Session 4

Session 4: Providing for Play


Possibilities with Prop Boxes
 

Prop boxes are used to add new ideas to children’s dramatic play. Prop boxes are usually based on a theme (e.g., grocery store) and are added to the dramatic play area. Prop boxes encourage children to role-play and think about concepts they are not exposed to on a daily basis.

 

Prop boxes are composed of specialized items combined to foster a specific type of play. It is a box of pretend or real, ordinary housewares that can provide hours of enjoyment for a child as well as a developmentally educational experience.

 

Take a few minutes to investigate prop box ideas in “Possibilities with Prop Boxes.”

 

Prop boxes can be work-oriented, and may lead children to learning about diverse occupations. Prop boxes may be started as children need materials to extend their play (e.g., electrical switches, wire, and pliers for the electrician; plastic flowers and vases for the florist) or put together as requested by children playing in the various play centres. Children may also create items that they want to add to a prop box.

 

Prop boxes need to

  • be flexible

  • be versatile

  • be easy to carry (have handgrips)

  • be used indoors and outdoors

  • contain real or realistic items

  • be tough yet lightweight

  • be easily identifiable (be coded with pictures of what they contain)

The contents of a prop box will constantly grow—the box will fill up, and probably start to spill over, as everyone finds or makes things to add.

 

For more creative ideas, read “Creating Toys and Activities for Children from ‘Beautiful Junk.’” You can also watch video clips of Mr. Dressup and his tickle trunk on the Internet. Mr. Dressup was a popular Canadian children’s entertainer. In his show, Mr. Dressup encouraged imagination through the tickle trunk, which contained a wide variety of objects to spark children’s creativity.

 

cts_o_tricks.jpgCourse Project
 

Have you finished 20 items and strategies for your strategies box? If not, be sure to finish your items and strategies as you work through this session. Remember to apply the information presented in this session to your strategies.