Adults and children dress up in costumes, old clothes or pieces of fabric and wear props such as crowns, hats, rabbit ears, wigs, feather boas or funny glasses, then have their photo taken together in the ‘playgroup photo booth’.

Ways to develop numeracy through play

• Talk about the different-sized clothes. Will this top fit mum? Is it too big/too small for Macy?
• Count how many pieces of clothing/props you are wearing.
• Find matching items, eg pairs of shoes.
• Sort and classify the props.
• Talk about distance – how far back do we need to be to take the photo?
• Count to three before you take the photo.
• Look for patterns on the clothes.
• Count buttons, pockets or sleeves.
• When you print the photos, talk about enlarged and reduced sizes.

Ways to develop literacy through play

• Name the pieces of clothing.
• Use lots of language to describe the items you are going to wear.
• Name body parts as you put on items.
• Name clothing fasteners, eg zip, button, press-stud, Velcro, toggle, clasp, buckle, drawstring, hook and eye, etc.
• Look in the mirror – talk about what you see.
• Pretend to be a mummy, baby, pirate, princess, dinosaur or fireman.
• Make up a story and act out using the costumes.

• Practice naming different body parts with young children, perhaps singing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
• Make a stage to act out or model outfits.
• Create a costume shop or clothing store.
• Place dress ups in the home corner.
• Take some dress ups outside.
• Make a photo board and write each person’s name to create a sense of belonging.
• Make a frame for your photo.
• Make a book of silly photos.

Play prompts:

• Can you find...
  • A matching pair of shoes?
  • Something to wear on your head?
  • Something green or something spotty?
  • Something with buttons?

Parents or carers can:

• Comment on what their children are doing (say what they see).
• Talk in their home language.
• Use literacy and numeracy words (see words to use section above).
• Dress up with their child.
• Help their child to dress up, talking about each body part and describing what they are doing – “Now we are going to put this shirt over your head.”
• Help children with tricky fasteners such as zips or buckles if needed (encourage independence wherever possible).
• Follow their child’s play ideas – “Oh you want to be a pirate, let’s go find some treasure.”

You can help families by:

• Modelling what you want them to do.
• Talking to them about the focus of the activity and what children might be learning.
• Writing up words that go with the activity.
• Making suggestions on what families can do at home.

Great Start activities are for parents and carers to do with their children.

• Make your own books