A story is a place to experiment
Dramatic play gives children a way to imagine a situation and try out what could happen next. A pretend role, a shared story, or an everyday scene can invite conversation about feelings and relationships. Children are not simply rehearsing a performance; they are making meaning together.
Journey's dramatic play specialist, Miss Maria, brings an MA in organizational psychology and experience from an acting program in Russia. Her classes invite children to act out new stories, explore emotions, and practice relating to others. Imagination becomes a setting for both expression and discovery.
Learning to share an imagined world
When children build a story together, they have to communicate. Who will take a role? What happens next? What if two people have different ideas? These questions create opportunities to listen, negotiate, and solve a problem with support. A story can change as the group finds a way forward.
Pretend play also lets children represent something they are still learning to explain. A gesture or a character's words may communicate an idea differently from a direct question. Adults can join with curiosity while leaving room for children to shape the experience rather than scripting every moment.
Follow the idea, not the perfect performance
At home, ordinary objects and a little time can make room for imaginative play. Let your child explain what something represents and ask open questions about the story. There is no need for elaborate costumes or a polished ending. The thinking and interaction matter more than a finished show.
Children participate in different ways, including watching before joining or telling a story without acting it out. Ask Journey how the specialist supports your child's interests and comfort. For a deeper look at how adults can guide play without taking it over, explore NAEYC's discussion of guided play below.
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