Dramatic Play provides young children with the tools necessary to develop social skills, problem solving skills, and to broaden their understanding of the world. Providing quality props to support the dramatic play center will enhance the learning process and provide hours of fun.
What better way to celebrate fire safety week than creating a fire station and truck for your students. Building a fire station dramatic play center will provide children with opportunities to practice safe procedures and to try out the role of fireman. To create this area, you will need:
The Fire Station
- A large appliance box will serve well as the fire station. Cut two large openings in the front of the box for the firehouse doors. You may want to cut windows along the side so children can look into the firehouse. You can leave the inside plain brown or you may choose to decorate the inside with a wall phone and a pole drawn on the side. Paint the outside of the station red and paint the name of the fire department above the doors or on the side of the fire station.
- A refrigerator box works well for a fire truck. Cut one of the long sides out of the box. This will be the top of the fire truck. Spray the entire box red. With a black marker, draw in the windows, and a ladder on one side. Be sure to print the name of the fire department on the side of the truck. Cut a door on one side, being careful to keep one edge attached so kids can open and close the door. Attach a paper plate with paper fasteners to the front of the truck so the driver can steer the truck. Place chairs or benches inside the truck for the firemen to sit on.
Uniform
- Jacket: A used yellow or black rain coat works well for the fireman’s jacket. Decorate with strips of duct tape to resemble reflective tape.
- A pair of old black boots.
- Fireman’s hat these are generally inexpensive and can be found in the toy section of many department stores.
- Badge: Print out a pattern for a fireman’s badge and trace the shape onto cardboard. Cut out. Cover the badge with aluminum foil. You can write the name of the fire department on the foil with a black marker. Hot glue a large safety pin to the back to create a badge that can be pinned onto the fireman’s uniform.
Fire hose: An old vacuum cleaner hose makes a great fire hose. Discarded sections of a garden hose or even a piece of rope also work well.
Map: Enlarge a map of your neighborhood onto poster board or large drawing paper. Make sure the map has streets clearly marked. Laminate the map. You might wish to draw a map of the classroom instead, and have students practice their mapping skills by locating the area on the map.
Vis-à-vis markers: to circle the location of the fire on the map and to select the shortest route to the fire.
Telephone: Place an old phone near or in the fire station.
Pads of paper for taking down the location of the fire
Fire Safety Poster: Display posters of fire safety tips throughout the classroom
Bell or sirens if available are sure to delight any child.
You could assign students different roles, or let them choose their own. You may wish to place the call to the station and have a student take down the location of the fire. The firemen now must find the location on the map and rush off to rescue the victims.
Your fire station dramatic play center is bound to be a great success when you take the time to provide quality props for your students to use.
