My long-range plan is to revisit dramatic play spaces multiple times in this series. This post offers a general overview and critique. Future posts will drill down into specific aspects of dramatic play spaces.

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It’s a pretty standard setup as far as dramatic play spaces go. Most early learning settings tend to favor a housekeeping-themed arrangement. I don’t know why, but it has been standard for my lifetime. In kindergarten, back in the ’70s, I played with very similar appliances and cabinets. They had a rich patina of play from years of use. There wasn’t a microwave, and I doubt the refrigerator had an ice maker, but it was the same basic stuff.

It’s kind of limiting when it comes to supporting child-led dramatic play, though. First, such a setup locks in the play theme for many inexperienced players: “Since this looks like a kitchen, I guess we’ll play Kitchen Stuff.”

Kids more experienced with self-directed dramatic play (kids who can imagine the plywood microwave into a spaceship control panel, x-ray machine, space-time portal, or treasure chest) are often stunted by such spaces as well. They don’t have the necessary time, loose parts, or play partners to transform the space into something else. It’s hard to play Space Pirates when the three kids you’re assigned to play with only see Kitchen.

It might all be stowed away in the cabinetry, but there doesn’t seem to be much to play with. The space feels barren.

The table and chairs are cool. I’d consider pruning them from the space, but they are cool.

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Another of those common dramatic play spaces. Definitely not barren.

Same basic setup as in the previous photo: Housekeeping. Lots of loose parts, stuff with which to engage. I prefer this to the previous space. It feels more cozy, right?

Too many chairs. Maybe too much stuff. It feels a bit Claustrophobic. I love the old-school phone, but most kids today haven’t had any real-life experience with either of those telephonic devices. They’re archaic, like having a 1903 Edison Home Phonograph. Time flies, and technology marches along. I think they are great additions to the space.

The Plastic Tote Of Rocks is intriguing. As is the small rocking chair, old and well-built.

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This is another variation on the housekeeping theme, but this space seems more flexible.

There’s more space and fewer chairs. The workbench is a nice addition. There is too much plastic for my tastes, and the walls are too busy. Still, of the 3 dramatic play spaces we’ve looked at so far, this is my favorite. There’s lots of stuff and room to move.

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The big problem with the dramatic play spaces featured in this post is that the adults responsible for them pilfer 2 of the 3 Ps of dramatic play from the kids. Dramatic play is a cycle of Planning, Preparing, and Playing. When adults decide on the theme for the dramatic play space and then set it up to suit their vision, kids lose out on abundant learning-rich planning and preparation time.

Here’s an example:

The pizzeria sign was made by an adult and the drive thou sign was made by an adult. An adult made and laminated the menus and place mats. An adult sourced the tablecloths, the pizza boxes, the phone, the flowers, and all the rest.

Maybe the kids voiced some interest in playing pizza shop, but the did not get the chance to plan it or set it up. Learning opportunities pilfered.

Even worse, the children may have just walked in one morning and found this new setup.

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Yikes. Do you see any indication that a child planned or prepared any of this?

Nope. This was done by an adult. A child wouldn’t go to the trouble of acquiring an authentic Target shopping basket. A child would use a cardboard box, or backpack, or purse, or bucket, or some such already at hand container–and their imagination. Dramatic play spaces created by children are rough around the edges. Dramatic play spaces created by children are imperfect and less photogenic. Dramatic play spaces created by children look as if they were created by children.

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Another effort at something other than the standard housekeeping-themed dramatic play space, but again, it’s 100% adult planned and built.

And confusing in its origins and execution.

What sparked this setup? Why a train-themed setup? Is it inspired by Thomas The Tank Engine? Is it T week? Was the adult who set it up motivated by an Instagram image? Are 21st-century preschoolers into trains to the extent that they clamored for classroom transformation? If so, were they still interested in the topic by the time the transformation was complete?

And the execution. Why a steam engine and not a modern train? Are the red and green tiles time portals that whisk kids back to the late 1800s for an olden-times adventure? If Thomas was the inspiration, why not make it look like him? He has 3 wheels on each side and does not have a cowcatcher.

Why are passengers seated in the engine’s boiler? Why does the boiler have a window? Why isn’t there a window in the cab? Why is the track so narrow? It should align with the train’s wheels. I mean, the whole on-tracks thing is fundamental to trains.

I have more questions, but I’ll stop here. I likely sound like I’m picking at nits, and I guess I am. But there’s a reason for it. If you’re going to go to the trouble of creating something like this, why not attempt to make it accurate?

Because if the kids are really interested in late 19th-century locomotives, they will notice the poor execution. The Classroom Train Expert: “Ms. Britney, if a steam engine had a window in its boiler, it wouldn’t be able to build up the pressure needed to drive the pistons.” If they’re into Thomas, they will point out why it looks nothing like him. Train Kids know trains like Dinosaur Kids know dinosaurs.

If those same Train Kids are given dominion over planning and preparing the play space, they’ll work to the best of their abilities to create the props they need and be proud and content with their efforts.

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Dramatic Play Spaces Wrap-Up

The setup of dramatic play spaces matters, as does who does the setting up. Empowering kids to plan and prepare their dramatic play spaces increases learning, honors their interests, and demonstrates trust. It also frees adults up for other things.

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Have thoughts on the photos–or thoughts on our thoughts? Share them in the comments. You’ll find more play space critiques here.

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