Parent needs some advice!

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Could primary teachers please explain to me the role of the role play area in the classroom and how it fits in with the work done in class?

I have some concerns over the themes of my ds' and my experience over the last 3 years (small school, mixed R/y1 class and older dd already been through) has been broadly the same. So I want to be able to speak to the teacher but make positive suggestions too if asked.

What concerns do you have about the role play areas? I'm usually upper primary so don't often have them but I might be able to help anyway.

They are heavily stereotypical female orientated - hairdressers, riding school, dolly hospital, beauticians. I get encouraging the caring and nurturing side, the money exchange side for maths. In ordinary circumstances I'd be saying great, the boys get a chance to do things they might not if in a male orientated household.

But ds1 and the boys are a minority in their class, asking for a builders yard or a train station/ticket office, mechanics. There are 2 girls, very girly girls in ds1's class, to every 1 boy. So when they vote on the theme, the boys are always losing out.

I want to speak to the teacher, redress the balance somewhat but have constructive suggestions that would fit within the uses of role play within their learning. I'd even volunteer to procure what was needed if necessary.

Tbh, I can't even believe I'm asking as I'm mum to two girls and two boys, involved in girl guiding to ensure my girls get the most out of their interests. But I'm conscious that his and his brothers are just as important to encourage as his sisters.

My experience of what my colleagues have done is generally linked to a curriculum area. So geography might link to a travel agents etc. If there is a general role play area it tends to be a house or a generic shop.

If the teacher is just putting it up to a vote then she should really be offering a wider range and making sure that things that a stereotypically male are chosen too. This will be good for both the boys and the girls. Even a girly girl can dream of being a mechanic or a lumber jack.

I suggest talking to the teacher and asking what has actually been available previously. If you are just going on what the children have told you, the truth may be a little different. Then I would tell her that your ds isn't getting valued role play experience because he simply isn't interested in the genres that have been on offer before and it's a shame when you know the teacher puts so much effort into it (sweet smile) .

Thanks for your reply. I know what has been done previously as most terms they send a slip home asking if anyone has anything they can borrow for 'X' themed corner. They also have a very open door policy and actively encourage parents to participate in a in-class reading session weekly.

I think what I will do is ask how the themes are decided - ie does the teacher give the options or do the children come up with them themselves, or even a bit of both. Then confirm how they agree them with the children. Definitely highlighting it that ds isn't perhaps enjoying the role play experience fully. Also as you say, that I know how much work goes into setting them up. Because I do appreciate its not just as simple as slinging some toys in the corner and telling the children to crack on.

I do also know that my ds can fix on wanting to do certain things. So I don't want the teacher to feel I'm trying to push his interests at the expense of other children's.

The other way round this is for the class to have two role play areas - one inside and one outside.

It's absolutely not unreasonable for you to go and have a chat with her, particularly if you express a willingness to help her set up an area that your ds and the other boys are particularly interested in.

Setting up a role play area can be very time consuming (although not always) - it just depends on what it is.

Just re-read my reply and realised that I meant to put a "wink" face after the suggestion that you offer to help set one up.

The teacher should, of course, be meeting the needs of all the children in her class, not just the girls. If a parent came to see me with the same issue, I would give it some serious thought and do my best to remedy the situation as soon as possible. I would also, however, be very grateful for any offers of help.

I've recently set up a builders' yard outside, filled mainly with donations from a few families having work done on their houses. e.g. offcuts of wood, guttering, plastic pipes etc. I've added some hard hats, clipboards, paper, pens, a telephone and desk for the "site office", measuring tapes and rulers. All of the children love it!

Don't worry, I didn't take offence at the suggestion. I'm more than willing to help. As I've made ds1 a small ticket office for selling his train tickets (then we sit on the 'train' while he chuffs it along!). I'm more than up for helping put something together as long as no one thinks I'm mad for asking in the first place.

Role play areas in my classroom tend to be tied in to whatever the curriculum focus is at that time (plus a big generic box of dress up which we use for drama, etc). So for instance, a unit on transport would have a mechanic/bus/train/whatever else I can get my mitts on and beg/borrow/steal for that theme. Most recently we had a journalism/media curriculum focus and I set up a little newsreaders desk, makeup artists chair, weather map and screen, stage lighting, some big old video cameras on tripods, an old DJ deck I got hold of (for the editing suite ;) ) a green screen (for them to do their own videos and editing) and a bunch of other bits and pieces.

Quite honestly, if a parent came to me with a great idea for a theme and was willing to put the work (and money!) in to setting it up, then I'll point them towards a spare corner and let them go for it!