IEL Resources
- Tip Sheets:
- Toolkit: Play
- Videos:
- Blog: Props, Teachers, and Projects: Engaging Learners in Representational Play
Web Resources
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The Building Blocks of Dramatic Play
Source: Edutopia
More than costumes or props, young kids need time and space to work out the basics of how to collaborate. This article explains how dramatic play provides an environment to build crucial skills like negotiation, compromise, and agreement.
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The Importance of Pretend Play
Source: Scholastic
This article explains how imagination-driven play builds a young child’s developmental skills.
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The Land of Make Believe: How and Why to Encourage Pretend Play
Source: The Hanen Centre
This article makes the connection between imaginative play and language, why to encourage pretend play, and how pretend play develops by age.
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Look, Listen, Learn. “We Are Power Rangers!” Learning from Children’s Dramatic Play
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This article for early childhood educators gives a case study of preschoolers engaging in dramatic play on the playground. After reading the story and teacher reflections, you can use the Reflective Questions to deepen your thinking and shape your teaching practices.
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Making More Time for Imaginary Play
Source: PBS
This parent resource focuses on the benefits of imaginary play including building empathy, promoting mastery over fears and stressors, improving social-interaction skills, and more.
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Play to Your Child’s Passions
Source: Scholastic
This article shares how accepting and supporting children’s interests leads to their happiness.
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The Role of Pretend Play in Children’s Cognitive Development
Source: Early Childhood Research and Practice
This journal defines the cluster of concepts related to pretend play and cognition and briefly synthesizes the latest research on the role of such play in children’s cognitive, social, and academic development.
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Stages of Play from 24-36 Months: The World of Imagination
Source: Zero to Three
This parent resource explains how toddlers develop play skills from ages 2 to 3, and what toys and activities are appropriate for their age.
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Supporting Language: Culturally Rich Dramatic Play
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This NAEYC article describes several preschool-centered dramatic play environments and how to reflect the languages and cultures of the children and families that make up the classroom and local community