The early childhood professional's role in performing arts is to encourage performing arts play by providing the appropriate environment, equipment, and attitudes. In an ideal early childhood environment the dramatic play center and creative movement area are separate, each containing specific props and equipment designed to support the development of a specific age range.

Imagine yourself working in an early childhood center, your room does not offer enough space, so you want to place basic equipment and props throughout the room to encourage dramatic play and creative movement. Obtain several early childhood supply catalogs or visit their websites. Using a budget of $300, choose items for one of these age groups: 2-3 years, 4-5 years, or 6-8 years. Use the information in this unit's Readings and Web Resources and explain:

• Why you chose each item

• How you plan to use it (each item needs to have more than one specific use)

• What developmental skills the item addresses