December 2023
The popular Elf on the Shelf has inspired dramatic play around these mischievous Elves.
For several weeks, the children created an "Elf School" where they took on the role of a pesky "Elf" creating their own unique names. TW was the teacher and her elf students sat at their desks eagerly waiting to learn how to cause a little trouble. This also gets the elves sent to the principle’s office. This dramatic play also changed into an "Elf Hospital." The elves would get touched, lose their magic and become weak and sick. The doctor would have to magically fix them with a potion that had all the right ingredients for that particular Elf.
It appeared that the children really enjoyed mixing up concoctions to become potions to bring their poor lifeless elf back to it’s spunky mischievous self! We added a few Elf like props for provocaton.
This form of dramatic play really encolurages collaboration and inclusiveness amongst the group. Imaginary play has so many benefits to social and interactive play and of course is a lot of fun for everyone.
Cristy Kuokkanen, S.S.W
