Dramatic play includes fantasy play, puppetry and role-playing and often involves re-enacting a story.
Sociodramatic play is dramatic play that involves interacting with others. Typically each participant takes on a role and sometimes will switch roles throughout play.
Dramatic play helps children develop their social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills.
A dramatic play center may include props that encourage imagination, such as dinnerware, table and chairs, pretend food, broom and dustpan, phone, dolls, puppets, dress-up clothes or a tool set.
Childcare centers often use prep boxes in their dramatic play centers. Prep boxes include props that are based on a specific theme and often match materials being taught in the classroom. Prep box theme ideas include the beach, doctor's office, restaurant, firefighter, construction, post office, camping, wedding, grocery store, school and bank.