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Playtime was the key to these research findings. Through their pretend play, they were able to show their literacy abilities in many different ways. There may have been teacher placed materials but all of their interactions, conversations, writing and connections were entirely student created

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Before getting into the findings it is important to explain why dramatic play is important and a worthwhile activity to observe in an early childhood classroom.

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Data was gathered through the use of field notes, student writing samples, conversations and observations.

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Kindergarten

13 girls & 7 boys

Catholic School

Variety of family structures

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“Play is an ideal setting which allows the young child to practice, elaborate, and extend emergent literacy abilities” (Morrow & Rand, 1991, p. 397).
Through pretend play children are able to show their abilities in a subconscious way through their reading, interpreting, interacting and conversations. As children grow in their communities and learn their specific culture and language, they also learn important literacy abilities.

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In the dramatic play center, students are constantly showing one another how to do things. They reveal many different areas that they are literate in. Students would explain, demonstrate/model, and interact in appropriate ways associated with their pretend personas.

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Writing is a major literacy skill that is continuously developing for emergent readers and writers.  In many different ways students showed their writing abilities. Students wrote for many reasons: to give an order, to take an order, make a grocery list and write a review. Some were more symbolic while others were writing phonetically.

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Dramatic play in a Kindergarten classroom is an opportune time to witness a child’s literacy abilities through conversation. Dramatic play teaches and encourages expressive language. Children are motivated to communicate their wishes to their peers and therefore must learn to speak from the perspective of their pretend roles.

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One major way students showed their literacy abilities was through their ability to make connections and interpret the text around them. Environmental print is a major part of the dramatic play area and the students continuously showed their ability to read it.

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It was evident through observations and research that play is essential. Even without teacher prompted conversations and guided materials, the students continuously showed their literacy abilities. It is evident that more meaningful materials incorporated into the center will be a great addition to ensure the students will continue to grow their literacy abilities.

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Can you guess what these symbols stand for?