Imaginative Play
Pre-primary
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Guess the animal (3 min)
1. Act like an elephant, doctor or tiger.
2. Ask children to guess the animal.
3. Get them to repeat your actions.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the toys.
2. Take turns being characters.
3. Be kind to each other.
4. Be gentle with the puppets and toys.
More Pep-up Options
1. Giggle loop
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Let's Pretend!
Age Group
Ages 3-5
Session Intention
Children use props and role play to pretend, create small stories, and express themselves.
Materials Needed
• Hand Puppets sets (1)
• Finger Puppets Family (1)
• Doctor set (2)
• Kitchen Set (2)
• Fruits and vegetables (2)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 from nearby benches.
2. Hand each group their props (puppets, doctor set, or kitchen, fruits and vegetables).
3. Children play at or beside their benches, or in the space between the benches.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Tell the groups they will play characters today.
2. Give each group a random prop/toy
3. Let children choose how they want to play.
4. Encourage them to become characters. Show them how if needed.
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. If a group is quiet, sit with them and play a character yourself to get the story going.
2. After 8-10 minutes, add a twist to keep it moving - A new patient arrives or The food is finished - what now?
3. Let children move between groups if they want.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Child too shy - give a small role - You are the helper. Just hand things over.
2. Play gets rough - In our story we use gentle hands.
3. Two children want the same prop - Remind them to take turns.
What You May Notice
1. Young children blur the line between themselves and their character. That is completely normal.
2. Some children will be very silly. Silliness is creativity at this age - let it happen.
3. Children who are usually quiet in class sometimes become very expressive in pretend play.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Ask 2-3 children to share one thing their character did today.
2. Ask the children to pack up the props carefully. Everything goes back in its box.
Try Next Time
1. Let children choose their own character from scratch, with no scenario prompt.
2. Try a new scenario: a school, a bus journey, or a rainy day.
3. Ask children to use a puppet to tell the class one thing that happened in their story.