Preschool Pretend Play for Special Education Classroom
Funded Nov 23, 2009Thank you so much for donating to my classroom!
We are an autism-specific preschool classroom located in an urban district in California. Students in this classroom receive behavioral intervention services.
Many children with autism have significant difficulties engaging in pretend play. Pretend play is an essential social activity in early childhood, as it helps children practice skills such as cooperation, communication, and taking the perspective of another. Children with autism often find it easier to engage in pretend play when they have realistic, familiar props, such as the pretend oven, refrigerator, and sink that you donated.
My students were so excited when we unpacked the furniture and put it together. We have a pretend play area now, where the students can pretend to cook and wash their dishes afterward. Two weeks ago we read a book, "Growing Vegetable Soup," and pretended to make our own vegetable soup on the pretend stove. My students have been pretending to make soup all week long. Even students who are non-verbal are able to engage in this kind of pretend play, as it is so familiar to them. This has been a fantastic learning opportunity for my students.
Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. My students, their families, and I truly appreciate your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hanawalt