Family Literacy Play Date

Play Literacy supports the idea that children learn best through play. Young children can learn the fun, as well as the importance, of reading and writing in everyday life through imaginative play.

Each month, there is a different theme. We begin by reading a non-fiction book and a story about the theme. Last night was Doctor's Office. We read Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty and Let's Talk About Going to the Doctor by Marianne Johnston. We usually have a rhyme...

Miss Polly

Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick.
So she phoned for the doctor to be quick, quick, quick.
The doctor came with his bag and hat,
And knocked at the door with a rat tat tat.

He looked at the dolly and shook his head,
And said "Miss Polly put her straight to bed."
He wrote a pad for a pill, pill, pill.
I’ll be back in the morning with my bill, bill, bill.

And then we PLAY! Parents and children role-play and parents emphasize communicating- asking questions, listening, responding, and writing. Print material is always included as well.

Here are some of the sources I use...

Literacy Play by Sherrie West

Literacy-Building Play in Preschool by V. Susan Bennett-Armistead

Literacy Play Centers by Maureen Walcavich

Hooray for Dramatic Play by The Mailbox











Of course, there are a TON of great teacher sites online as well! I always Google community helpers, dramatic play, literacy play, play centers, etc...for ideas!