Is acting or engaging in

drama an innate ability of

every individual?

How is childrens play

related to the ability to
engage in drama in older
children?

When you were a child or

even as an adult, why do
you love to play?

Would you consider play

as something important to
you?

Play,
Dramatic Play,
and

Creative
Dramatics
Ma. Royce R. Chua, CSP-PASP

OBJECTIVES
To identify the relationship between play,
dramatic play and creative dramatics
To discuss play and some of its significance in
the development of an individual
To explain and differentiate the different
types of play
To enumerate the challenges today on play of
children

PLAY is
The childs occupation
An avenue and a means for learning
Reflects what the child know about the
world

Play
Is fun
Is shared
Integrates all senses
Facilitates turn taking

Play vs Dramatic Play:

How do they differ?
Basically, dramatic play a type of play.

What can be observed

during dramatic play?
Role-playing
Use of materials/props
Pretending
Social skills/interaction

DEVELOPMENT OF
DRAMATIC/PRETEND
PLAY
Pretend doing
something that the
child does
everyday (e.g.,
eating)
Pretend doing
something that the
child observes
from people,
usually a family
member (e.g.,

DEVELOPMENT OF
DRAMATIC/PRETEND
PLAY
Pretend doing something that
child has experienced or
seen that is not an everyday
activity (e.g., going to the
doctor)
Pretending that object is
something else in his play
(e.g., blocks used as soap)
Fantasy (e.g., being a fairy and
making rats horses; being
superman and saving the world)

PLAY ORGANIZATION
One schema (e.g., drinking from cup)
Sequenced schemas (e.g., patting
baby rocking baby putting baby in
bed)

DEVELOPMENTAL
STAGES OF PLAY
(Social)
Onlooker play
Solitary Play
Parallel Play
Associative Play
Cooperative Play

Play helps in different areas of development

Social
Emotional
Cognitive/Mental
Physical

SOCIAL
A way to practice and
refine communication
with peers
An avenue to develop
empathy
Provides valuable
experience in
cooperating and
sharing

EMOTIONAL
Allows children to express emotions
Acting out a frightening situation can
help children feel in control of their
fears
Pretending to be the adults in their
lives help children feel powerful and
secure

COGNITIVE/MENTAL
Growth in language skills
Improvement of
childrens problem
solving skills
Increase the childs
ability to think in
creative and abstract
ways

PHYSICAL
Involves gross motor and fine motor
activities Improved motor control
Enhances coordination

How do you play with

children?
Let children take the lead
Provide time for satisfying
play dramas to develop
Provide the place and the
props
Pick up the childs interests
and then provide subtle
ways to help them develop
their play scenarios

Current Issue: Play is

Disappearing

http://www.habitot.org/museum/exhibits_play_research.html

Today's children are rarely left unsupervised to

make up their own games and make-believe.
We're afraid to let our children play in the skinyour-knees, fall-out-of-trees world of the outdoors.
It's far too easy to keep kids occupied with userfriendly phone apps, electronic toys and screens
of all sorts.
Busy, working parents have little time or energy to
make play a priority - or to allow the mess of play
in their homes.

Current Issue: Play is

Disappearing

http://www.habitot.org/museum/exhibits_play_research.html

Many people simply aren't convinced children need

play.
Many assume their children are getting the benefit of
play if they have the latest 'educational' toys or play
team sports, (which parents increasingly rely on
because they are supervised).
Even the most aware parents admit to, and regret,
the scheduling of play around their own and their
childrens busy lives, and the need to cram education
and other purpose-driven goals into play.

Creative Dramatics
Dramatic play vs Creative Dramatics

Creative Dramatics
Generally used to describe improvised
drama of children from age six and
older
Gives elementary children an
opportunity to develop their creativity
and imagination

Dramatic Play vs Creative

Dramatics
Dramatic Play

Creative Dramatics

Fragmented

Informal drama that is

created by participants

No clear beginning and

no end and no
development

Make use of a story with

a beginning, a middle,
and an end

Repetition for pure joy of

doing

Done through dramatic

enactment

Thank you for

listening!

References
Hereford, N. J., & Schall, J. (Eds.) . (1991). Learning through play: dramatic
play, A practical guide for teaching young children. New York, NY:
Scholastic Inc.
Mayeski, M. (2002). Creative Activities for Young Children 7th ed. USA:
Delmar Thomson
Pascual, S. (2011). Lecture on Understanding Play.Personal Collection of S.
Pascual, University of the Philippines Manila
Cecchini, M. E. (2008). How Dramatic Play Can Enhance Learning. Retrieved
September 14, 2014 from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?
ArticleID=751
Play is disappearing. Retrieved September 15, 2014,

Human Tableau/Living
Picture

Activity
Five (5) groups
TTD:
Make a Human Tableau showing the
following topics tackled today:
The importance of play
The different types of pretend play
The social levels/development of play

Create a sample of Creative Dramatics

(2)

Other requirements
October 12: Last AMCT Lecture
October 19: Field trip
October 23 (Thursday): Final Output:
Make a video presentation of 2 nursery
rhymes; put in a CD and pass on or
before October 23, Thursday
October 26 (Monday): Finals Exam