Early childhood teachers can help students feel comfortable with doctors, check-ups and hospitals. Herr and Larson suggest encouraging dramatic play with a health dress-up station. In the doctor and nurse prop box, place the following: white coat, rubber gloves, thermometer, gauze, masks, eyedroppers, stethoscope and bandages. Place old stuffed animals near the props so that students can practice and play doctor or nurse with the stuffed animals. Also, ask an eye doctor for old frames and a wall chart so that students can pretend to give eye exams. For physical play, students can play a "Doctor, doctor, nurse," version of "Duck, duck, goose." To give children a hands-on experience, ask a local hospital to donate a clean, unused cast that students can explore and decorate.
Creative teachers can ask students to share information about their homes with the class. Teachers can record sounds that happen in the home, such as the dishwasher washing, water running and a door opening. Play the sounds for students and have them guess each sound. They could draw a picture of the item they hear. Older students could play a version of sound Bingo with teacher-made Bingo cards. The teacher could make several Bingo cards based on the sounds she's recorded. After guessing sounds, students can sing, "This is the Way We Build Our House," to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mullberry Bush." Students should say, "This is the way we build our house, so early in the morning!" They could substitute "build our house" for other house chores like "wash the floor" or "sweep the floor."
When young children are learning about insects and spiders, teachers can encourage dramatic play by allowing the students to play scientist. In the scientist prop kit, allow students to play with a lab coat, goggles and magnifying glasses. Students can take their props outside, or they could monitor insects that the teacher brings in the classroom. After students observe insects, have them make fingerprint bugs. Students should dip their thumbs in paint and press down on construction paper. After the paint dries, students can use crayons or markers to draw legs or other identifying features of their bugs.