Section out an area of the classroom for drama. Make sure it is large enough to hold at least three children at one time. Clear the space from all other content area materials, tables, chairs or extraneous items.
Provide a selection of props. These may vary depending on the goals and objectives of the drama lesson. Free play drama lessons are more exploratory in nature and may necessitate more open-ended items or a larger variety of objects. Examples may include play food, play or plastic dishware, dolls or stuffed animals. More structured drama lessons may require specific props based on a story or play.
Provide costumes. These may range from dress up clothes to actual character costumes. Dress up clothes may include adult articles such as dresses, suit jackets or skirts. Choose character costumes based on the specific narrative or story that you will be performing, or look for different themes for outfits such as community helpers, animals, princesses or sports figures.
Set the stage. In many cases, the stage will be the dramatic play section of the classroom. Decorate the area with child-painted backdrop murals, posters or a decorative rug.
Group children into drama teams of at least three, or at most four, students.
Show the chosen props, costumes and play items to the children.
Verbally state any safety rules or classroom policies. These may include no running, no throwing, plus sharing or time limits for play. Base the time limits on the specific children's ages and general attention span. Typically, use a guideline of 15 to 20 minutes for preschoolers and 20 to 30 minutes for kindergartners.
Allow the children to explore the drama materials and work together to pretend, move and act. Use verbal cues to encourage dramatic play. Ask open ended questions such as, "How can you use that prop?" or "What do you think your character would talk like?".
Choose a story or book to base your narrative and characters from. Select an age appropriate story with enough characters for the students included.
Read and discuss the story with the children. Choose different children to play the different characters. Give each child a few simple lines or sentences to say.
Help the children to select costumes and props that match their characters. Ask questions about why the character might wear that specific costume.
Rehearse the story using the costumes and props. Invite each child to the stage area (this may be the dramatic play section of the classroom) and say his or her lines. Encourage character movements, motions or even dances that may accompany the spoken words.