Fire Hall – Dramatic Play centre

After visiting the local fire hall this year, I found that my students were extremely captivated by
what they saw, and brought their learning back into the classroom. During free play time, you
could find them crafting up Firemen gear, moving around the classroom on their firetrucks
(chairs) and engaging in meaningful dialogue with their peers. This has sparked me to want to
set up a Fire Hall Dramatic Play centre in the classroom.

How would this centre…

a. Encourage children to speak to one another

This centre would encourage the children to speak to one another by mimicking the
roles of Firemen and their interaction with residents in the local environment. This may
include some children taking on the role of the Firemen, as they help save a family from
a burning house, or an animal that has been caught in a tree. It would promote
conversations amongst the students and encourage them to problem solve.

b. Encourage children to speak loudly and clearly

As children take on the roles of the Firemen, they would need to articulate both loudly
and clearly to ensure their peers can hear them. Centre time can be a very busy time in
the classroom and with lots going on, the children would be encouraged to use an
appropriate level of noise, to clearly articulate and speak to their friends.

c. Develop confidence in speaking skills

This learning centre would create a low stress environment for the children to engage in
meaningful conversations with their peers. Through role playing, the children would get
to take on the identity of someone else and utilize words they’ve learnt from visiting the
 local Fire Hall. They would engage in conversations with their peers, rather than with an
adult, which can sometimes cause anxiety for the students. There would be no pressure
to get things right, and the children are encouraged to have fun!

d. Develop vocabulary for naming and describing people/objects

This centre would provide the children with the opportunity to use vocabulary they have
previously been exposed to at the local Fire Hall and apply it to their own world. Various
objects such as boots, gear, hats, ropes, cardboard structures and literature would be
made available to the children to explore and use in their role play. They would be
encouraged to craft things up on their own and use objects with purpose and intention.

e. Encourage children to describe their feelings, efforts, and ideas

This would be a wonderful opportunity for the children to interact with their peers and
choose what role they’d like to play! They’d be able to contribute their ideas and help
solve problems together. The Fire Hall can be a busy place at times, and the children
could come together to work through various scenarios and come up with solutions to
various problems and challenges presented to them.

As a teacher, I could help encourage oral language by facilitating conversation amongst the
students. I could pose questions and ask them what it is they are doing and why? I could have
them show me what it looks like to be a Firemen and describe the various objects they are
using. I would also take the opportunity to sit back and watch them interact with one another.
When asked questions, I could encourage them to come up with the answers on their own and
explain their thinking to me!

I would assess the children’s oral language by taking part in the dramatic play myself, and
interacting with the students. I would also take a more passive role and sit back and listen to
their conversations. I would write down my observations as the children engage in role play,
and generate questions to ask them and expand their thinking!