The children in PreK have been playing '"sick" in the dramatic play area, complete with a medicine (pink wooden bottle) that they would give or take if they were "sick", hands touching foreheads to check for "fever" and "parents" expressing worries about their sick babies (dolls). We thought that our return to school this month would be an opportune moment to spend with a "doctor's office" complete with props such as stethoscopes and coats, a bed for patients, and other accoutrements of health. The doctor's office turned out to be very very popular, and we've needed to make sure that we "switch" and let all of the children cycle through!
The children have strongly grasped this play, and take turns being doctors and patients in the office, filling out charts and prescriptions, and generally playing with a concept that may be worrisome to them. In our dramatic play area, they act with authority and care.
When we talk about health, we make sure to reinforce what they know about staying healthy-wearing masks, drinking water, getting rest, and eating a variety of foods. We talk about the brain as the control center of the body.
We are reading books about doctors and nurses, talking about our five senses, and telling stories with bandaids and body tracings.
There are head shapes and body papers to color in as the children wish, and skin tone markers for accuracy.
For this past week we have focused on our five senses, and created a project each day that used that sense, such as a painting to celebrate our sense of sight, a cinnamon bear to use our sense of smell, and finger paint to focus on our sense of touch. We made shakers to practice our sense of hearing.
We played games in the classroom using our senses, such as a "what's missing" game that required memory and the sense of sight, and a "what is it" game that required the sense of touch.
The Doctor's Office has prompted many conversations in our classroom. We have enjoyed the children's play and discoveries, and will continue this exploration next week.
Until Next Time,
Michele and Charlene
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