A visit to the apple market : an apple dramatic play center

Make your apple unit more than just cute and turn it into an amazing experience instead!

Last week we did lots of apple exploring and I mean lots. I bought a bag of each color of apples (red, green, yellow, and even a set of Gala apples) for the children to explore all through the week. My students ate, investigated, smelled, cooked, and explored apples in many different ways. We transported apples from one place to another including our Apple Farmer’s Market dramatic play center….

Choose A Great Book

Before heading off to play in our Apple Market, we read the simple and brightly illustrated book “Apple Farmer Annie” by Monica Wellington. Annie takes us on her adventures of growing apples, picking apples, cooking apples, hauling apples to the Farmer’s Market, setting up an apple stand, selling apples, and then heading back home…

Bring the Book to Life

Both of our classes spent time at the Apple Market and both the younger and older children equally loved playing in the apple market center. I chose to set up the apple farmer’s market center in our outdoor classroom on the “tinker table.”  I covered the table with a bright red table cloth, added calculators, pencils, scales, a money drawer, pretend money, and apples…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

Set Up an Apple Market

Now that we had read about Annie and discussed some of the things Annie did with her apples, the children were ready to visit our apple market too!…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

All week long the children bought and sold apples to each other…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

The children came and went from the Apple Market as they wished. Some would come and go, others would stay for a long time…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

The children explored the scales and calculators or just spent time counting money…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

The children talked with each other, made their own rules for play, took food orders, and wrote down lists or numbers…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

Sometimes the apple market was very busy…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

And other times, business was a little slow…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

Why We Love the Apple Market

There was always something to do at the apple market all week long and since my students are still learning about each other, it was a wonderful way to invite them to talk to each other and cooperate with each other…

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

What a wonderful beginning we are already having to our preschool year!

The Apple Market dramatic play center by Teach Preschool

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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