Incorporate opportunities for literacy development in a grocery store-themed dramatic play center. Set out store circulars and create signs for children to read while playing in this center. Offer children pieces of paper and writing implements to write pretend grocery lists on. Even if they are unable to read the writing or if they are unable to write, the exposure and practice with written text will help to develop reading and writing abilities.
Children can hone their literacy skills while playing house. Place books in the center that children can read to the baby dolls. Place out pads of paper and pencils or dry-erase boards that children can use to write notes to one another. Fill a magazine rack with magazines and newspapers that children can look through while playing the role of mom, dad or anyone else associated with a house. Even cookbooks that children can use to make pretend meals will encourage literacy development.
Literacy is essential in an airport, and an airport-themed dramatic play center offers a variety of opportunities to promote literacy development. Create signs that depict the names of airlines and expected times of arrivals and departures. Collect pamphlets from travel agents and place them around the center for children to look through. Print up pretend airline tickets, or set out paper and crayons that children can use to create their own airline tickets. Magazines, newspapers and books can be arranged on shelves, and children can pretend to purchase them while playing.
Create a flower shop in your dramatic play center that is enriched with opportunities to develop reading and writing skills. Print up signs that state the names of flowers and their costs. Display signs that showcase the names of specific types of flowers, along with an image of the type of flower. Offer children gardening books and magazines in this center. Paper tablets and pens can be used to write customer orders as well as notes to attach to bouquets of flowers.