Just because young children have some physical limitations does not mean they do not enjoy playing make-believe. What little girl doesn't want to feel like a princess? What little boy doesn't want to imagine himself as a cowboy? A well-developed Early Childhood Curriculum should contain time for dramatic play for children of all abilities. Yet many costumes present inconveniences for children with special needs.

Traditional, Halloween-type costumes often cause tripping hazards or are too difficult to put on. Look for costumes designed specifically for the early childhood classroom and special needs classroom. Teachers and parents should look for costumes without string ties and without bulk. For safety reasons, costumes should be shorter than ankle-length. Watch out for costume parts that might become tangled in wheelchair wheels or other moving parts.

All children like sensory stimulation as well. Costumes with pockets or fringe or tulle are especially enjoyable. Dramatic play should be scheduled at least three times a week. Teachers should offer costume choices each time. Having duplicate costumes is good! Children like to play together and, when they see a classmate in the same costume, they have a better understanding of when they themselves look like in the same costume. It fosters cooperative and imaginative play.

Dramatic play is fun. Children learn from their make-believe adventures. They relax and have fun. Despite their youth, they can sense that they will not be evaluated on their play or have to meet certain expectations or performance standards. After all, it is make believe! Children of all abilities should be encouraged to play "let's pretend," using easy-to-put-on costumes.


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