THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE - All Things Mister Rogers
HOME   |   ABOUT   |   FORUM  |   BLOG   |   PODCAST   |   DONATE

Grow and Learn: Dramatic & Creative Play

Date: 1998
Author: Roberta Schomburg Ph.D., Hedda Bluestone Sharapan
Illustrator: Ben Mahan
Designer: Moonhee Pak
Editor: Joellyn Thrall Cicciarelli
Publisher: Macmillan / McGraw-Hill
Series: Grow & Learn
ISBN: 0021976929

 

Editorial Consultants: Cathy Cohen Droz, Elaine Lynch, Aisha White
Project Director: Carolea Williams

Copyright © 1998 by Family Communications, Inc.


Description

For decades, Mister Rogers has been a television friend to young children, helping them grow both "inside and out" as they learn along with him every day. Dramatic & Creative Play brings to you his deep understanding of children and how they grow, and features practical, hands-on activities for your classroom.

Just look inside Dramatic & Creative Play -- there is so much to do! Help children express their feelings, thoughts, and ideas in a creative way as they play dress-up make and try on masks, and use disguises. Children explore the world of pretend by using everyday items and toys to make box puppets and a "zoo." Discover new ways to use props and music as children play "What's in the Suitcase?" or create a pretend orchestra.

As a teacher, you have many ways to help children express themselves creatively. Now, with these ideas from Mister Rogers and Dramatic & Creative Play, you will have a wonderful resource to support you in this important work.


A Letter From Fred Rogers

Dear Neighbor,

Sometimes people talk about play as if it were a relief from times of serious learning. But play is serious learning. Play is a child's natural way to learn about self, others, and the world.

For some children, dressing up in different clothes can quickly encourage creative play. Other children may find it more fun to pretend with puppets or small toys. Just as we find our own ways of expressing our adult selves, hopefully children will find theirs. That's why they need a variety of playthings to stimulate whatever creative play they may choose. With open-ended materials, like dress-up clothes, blocks, musical instruments, and props, children can make of them what they need.

No matter how children choose to express themselves in their play, they can begin to know, as we do, the pleasure of creating something that comes from their own ideas, thoughts, and feelings -- something that's truly unique. When you let them know their play has value, you're letting them know you believe they have value, too.

Fred Rogers

This site is best viewed using the most current version of Google Chrome.
Content copyright © The Fred Rogers Company. Used with permission.
Corner image by Spencer Fruhling. Used with permission.
Do not duplicate or distribute any material from this site without the consent of The Fred Rogers Company.