Imagination Center
It’s been a ton of fun preparing for our center in so many ways. One of the highlights that I’ve experienced is having some foundational beliefs in what type of educational activities I want to provide appearing in the Wisconsin Administrative Code from the WI Department of Children & Families. I don’t know, it seems in a way… validating again, this is what I need to go back to doing. Offering fun ways for children to learn.
We will definitely have dramatic play just like we planned before we read that “creative expression” is one of the seven experiences that a licensed-group child care center is required to provide in Wisconsin. (DCF 251.07). Creative expression can be accomplished in a variety of activities and you’ll see it throughout Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S always encouraging children to explore with art, manipulatives, building, etc.
Examples of Creative Play Centers
Our dramatic play areas will be focused around the themes that are defined for the center and the classrooms and will be rotated frequently to keep the interest of the children. Each classroom will have a form of dramatic play that children can choose to explore. Some examples include:
- Post Office
- Kitchen
- Flower Shop
- Pet Store
- Grocery Store
- Airport
- Doctor Office
You will find hidden treasures within each one featuring all sorts of different educational elements including math, writing, reading, culture, science, and art. I can’t wait to hear the conversations and imaginations out of the children. They come up with some of the best scenarios to act out!
Experiences Childcare Centers should offer
As referenced above, the WI Code states that the programs that should be included in all child care centers should promote the following:
- Self-esteem and positive self-image.
- Social interaction.
- Self-expression and communication skills.
- Creative expression.
- Large and small muscle development.
- Intellectual growth.
- Literacy
As you can imagine, when the creativity happens in the drama center, you can observe many of the above occurring. It’s just one example of how learning through play is demonstrated. I hope the children will invite Grammy to visit and jump right in with them pretending to purchase goods while I wait for them to be weighed and tell me how much I owe them!