A. Tea Party
Set up a pretend tea party with your child's doll and some toy tea cups and saucers. Your child can play the role of the host or hostess serving tea and snacks to the doll and other toys.
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1. Cognitive Problem-solving and Creativity |
Setup Encourage full setup, from invitation to play setup Encourage extension to existing build If lack of items for setup, find substitutes |
| 2. Social and Emotional Skills |
"Would you like some hot tea?" "Welcome to my tea party!" "Thank you for having me." "The cake looks lovely." "These tea cups and saucers are made of ceramic, they are fragile and break easily, so we handle them with care." |
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3. Language & Communication
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Tangible Objects Food description: Cake is sweet Tea description: Tea is hot Taste: Sweet, Salty, Sour Tea cup & saucer Role Host or hostest, friends and family Situation Host generally serves her guests food and drinks |
Setup–Feel free to substitute whichever item is unavailable
Erzi – Cupcake, Erzi – Fruit-Cutting Salad Set
Others: Cups and saucers; Table and chairs
B. Picnic
Organise a pretend picnic for the doll and your child. They can pack a little pretend picnic basket with toy food and have a lovely outdoor playtime together.
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1. Cognitive Problem-solving and Creativity |
Setup Encourage full setup, from invitation to play setup Encourage extension to existing build If lack of items for setup, find substitutes |
| 2. Social and Emotional Skills |
"It's a hot day!" "I feel refreshed after drinking some lemon water." "Can you pass me the sandwich? I would love to have some." "It's a windy day, perfect for flying kites and playing bubbles." |
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3. Language & Communication
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Tangible Objects Food description: Tuna Sandwich Tea description: The lemon water is refreshing on a hot day Taste: Sweet, Salty, Sour Finger Food Role Friends and family Situation Prepare finger food/refreshing drinks Plan outdoor activities Clean up after we are done |
Setup–Feel free to substitute whichever item is unavailable
Olli Ella–Dinkum Dolls; Olli Ella–Rattan
Erzi–Assorted Picnic Set; Erzi–Fruits and Vegetables
Plantoys–Wonky Fruits and Vegetables Set; Plantoys–5 colours veggie set; Plantoys–Assorted Vegetable Set; Plantoys–Assorted Fruits Set
Others: Picnic mat cloth, towel, scarves or play mat
C. Doctor
Let your child be a doll doctor and take care of the doll's "health". They can use a toy medical kit to give the doll check-ups, bandage "injuries," and even administer pretend shots.
Or set up for dental care. This may include how to brush teeth or how a dentist extracts a tooth.
Set up a vet clinic to nurse pets back to their health.
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1. Cognitive Problem-solving and Creativity |
Setup Encourage full setup, from invitation to play setup Encourage extension to existing build If lack of items for setup, find substitutes |
| 2. Social and Emotional Skills |
"I'm feeling under the weather." "Using my sthethoscope, let me check your breathing." "Using my torchlight, let me check your throat." "Using my thermometer, let me check your fever." "Ouch!! This hurts!" "I feel chilly." "I feel weak." "It hurts when I walk. (knee injury)" |
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3. Language & Communication
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Tangible Objects Syringe, Stethoscope, Clinic, Hospital, Medicine Role Nurse, Doctor, Vet, Dentist, Patient Situation What does a doctor do? - Do check-ups, treat injuries/wounds - Administer shots – vaccination - Administer medications – not feeling well, runny nose or fever - Bandage – injuries or wounds What does a dentist do? - Check teeth - Scaling or tooth extraction - How to brush teeth? |
Setup–Feel free to substitute whichever item is unavailable
Plantoys–Doctor set; Plantoys–Dentist set
Olli Ella–Holdie; Olli Ella–Dinkum Dogs
Others: Table and chair, Consultation Room, Paper Clipboard
Read more about Pretend Play—Key to Early Childhood Development or click for setup ideas