Role play is a well-established feature of most early years settings and yet its importance is often underestimated, particularly as the misguided rush to train young children in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy impacts on reception classes. However, the Foundation Stage guidance makes clear the importance of role play for all children in the age range and stresses that it is a powerful learning medium for the entire curriculum (see box: case studies).
Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage states: 'Children learn many skills and attitudes in well-planned role play. It encourages individual and co-operative play and gives children opportunities to express feelings, to use language, to develop literacy and numeracy skills and to learn without failure. Role play gives children the opportunity to make sense of their world' (p31).
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