Let's Play Vet

Activity Overview

Dramatic play is an important tool that young children use to imagine and explore different personas, sublimate their feelings and impulses in a safe framework, and process complex, real-life experiences through the act of storytelling. For example, often young children want to play doctor, taking on the role of the doctor in order to regain control over a real-life experience in which they are not in control. A child who has recently fallen at the playground may re-enact the injury with their dolls or in dramatic play with peers as a way to accept what happened. Additionally, while students explore characters and scenarios, they are also practicing both expressive and receptive language skills and tackling new perspectives. In this activity, students will consider the role of the veterinarian and how they help animals in their care.

What You Need

• Stuffed animals

• Plastic containers, baskets, or boxes for animal care

• Blocks and other open-ended materials for pretend veterinary care tools

Steps

1. Read The Duck Doctor on Epic as a way to set the stage for the dramatic play scenario.

2. Have students use their materials to set up their own veterinary clinic. Give students open ended materials and help them build their veterinarian office.

3. Ask students, “What would you do?” questions and take turns being the vet and the caring pet owner. Bring your pet to the clinic and ask for help.

Guiding Questions

• What would you do if your pet was hungry? What would you do if your pet was thirsty?

• What would you do if your pet got a cut?

• What would you do if you found a lost pet?

• What would you do if a cat lost her kittens?