Doctor's Office

Students work together to create a doctor’s office in the dramatic play centre. After discussing what a doctor’s office needs, they use classroom materials to build the space and create signs, labels, appointment cards, patient forms, and medical notes. Children take on roles such as doctors, nurses, patients, and receptionists as they read and write for authentic purposes, engage in conversations, and care for patients during play. Additional props, such as an x-ray machine, can be introduced to extend learning and inspire new literacy opportunities. 

• Support students in planning the doctor’s office by asking questions about the materials, spaces, and roles that will be needed 
• Model how to create doctor’s office print materials such as signs, appointment cards, patient forms, labels, and notes 
• Introduce and reinforce vocabulary related to the human body, health, medical tools, symptoms, and healthcare professions 
• Join the play as a patient, receptionist, or doctor to model oral language and extend interactions 
• Support early reading by encouraging students to read signs, labels, names, and appointment information 
• Support early writing by encouraging students to listen for and record the sounds they hear in words when creating signs, notes, and forms
• Ask questions to deepen learning (e.g., “What sounds do you hear in sick?” or “What will you write on your patient’s note?”)
• Extend learning by introducing additional props such as x-rays, medical charts, or clinic maps and encouraging students to create their own related print materials

• Doctor’s office props (e.g., stethoscopes, bandages, medical tools, clipboards, waiting room materials) 
• Writing materials (e.g., paper, pencils, markers, clipboards) 
• Materials for creating signs, labels, appointment cards, patient forms, medical notes, and prescriptions 
• X-ray images, light table materials, or materials for creating a pretend x-ray machine 
• Books and images related to the human body, healthcare, and community helpers 
• Recycled and classroom materials for building and enhancing the dramatic play space