What a great idea! Role playing! We all did it growing up, at least those of us not raised in the video game and computer era! When my kids were young we'd play post office, or store, something to that effect, not knowing we were developing literacy. There'd be letters, bills or junk mail for mom, dd or ds! What a fabulous lesson during play, exactly how does the mail get from one place to another? Your children will enjoy this role play activity, drawing upon their experiences and developing many different areas of learning like moral dilemmas.

Are you ready for some early learner resources that are all about role playing?

This role playing booklet is full of fabulous ideas for you and the kids. It explains the various learning outcomes, what type of lesson will be learned, sign recognition, and more. Examples of role playing included are a doctor's office, a supermarket, a fix-it or inventor's workshop, a post office, a pet store, a zoo, a veterinary clinic, a museum, and a restaurant.

If your children are young, don't hesitate to use materials created for ESL students as they are wonderfully imaginative, well created and absolutely perfect lessons using role playing! Not your kid's scene? How about pretending to be a firefly searching for a mate?

Not to leave the older kids out, I found a geoscience and shopping site all about role-playing that should be checked out! It will be thoroughly checked out by us! Or how about a role-playing a history lesson that really touches the heart of our learners? Or these on the New France Census of 1665-1666 and Reservation Controversies Then and Now! Role-playing simulations teach empathy, perspective-taking, and, by extension, ethics.

BC Hydro has provided online modules for role play about energy education, students take the roles of people in different sectors of society, with different interests in energy-related issues.

The only online role playing game that I would even think to encourage you to check out is Real Lives 2004. It offers kids the opportunity to live other people's lives through a software simulation, it helps kids to understand and feel empathy for people in other parts of the world!

Now, just to find those old halloween costumes and to creat some props! And of course, a role playing corner!

"Walk a mile in my shoes" is good advice. Our children will learn to respect others if they are used to imagining themselves in another's place.
- Neil Kurshan (Raising Your Child to Be a Mensch, ch. 4, 1987)