Learning that arise through working with role play
Children develop confidence, self-esteem and imagination when acting/dressing up and establishing roles. They learn how to behave in various situations, working through appropriate emotions (looking after baby, being shouted at). Children also learn to take turns, make decisions and interact with others.
Through role play, children develop language appropriate to various situations e.g. being a shopkeeper, mum or customer, talking on the phone. It encourages children to listen to each other and respond to needs (doctor/patient). Within the role play area will be different labels and signs which children will become familiar with. Children can also develop mark making skills through writing shopping lists, telephone messages, invitations etc.
Children experience sequencing - washing up, looking after baby, shopping etc. They also learn about numbers and counting (money in shops/prices of objects). When engaging in role play children have opportunities to sort and match (sorting letters, matching place settings) and estimate and compare sizes, lengths, weights of dolls, fruit, wallpaper needed for home corner etc.
Depending on the theme of the role play area children can learn a great deal about the world - observation of growing plants in the garden centre, considering how to keep healthy in the doctor's, how to travel to the seaside etc. Children also develop an understanding of the roles of various people. Opportunities may also arise for ICT development - using calculators and computers, pretending to use a washing machine, cooker etc.
The role play area encourages children to think imaginatively and creatively. It enables them to consider the use of materials and artefacts and how they can be used in role play. It also helps them relate to real life experiences - observing the roles of people - doctor, shopkeeper, mum/dad etc.
Children's fine motor skills will be developed through mark making (shopping lists etc), weighing items in shop, dressing/undressing, using small pieces of equipment. They will become more aware of space and develop use of larger pieces of equipment (Hoover, pushchair). They will gain more control over their own bodies for example when handling the babies.