Our pet shop/veterinarian office is open for business and the children are having a lot of fun. We provided doctor kits, pet bowls, a pet carrier (an awesome garage sale find), keyboards, cell phones and small clipboards with paper and pens. The paper gives the children an opportunity to write and they do. It looks like scribbling but is all part of emergent writing skills and fine motor development. WOW, right? There is also a table with two chairs and laundry basket to contain all the props.
Plus there are the pets. Lots of Beanie Babies, of course (my 'investment' in Beanie Babies for my son is really paying off at school). We have cats and dogs. We know cats and dogs cannot live together so when the children pick up they have to sort the cats and dogs into the appropriate containers and place them back on the shelf. More labeling and exposure to the written word and meaning. Learning through play!
