Firetruck

The Firetruck is the cornerstone of our outdoor play space and is integral to the children’s daily, outdoor, play-based, imaginative play. Research shows that imaginative play boosts creativity, enhances social/emotional development, promotes problem-solving skills, and stimulates language development. The Playhouse Firetruck allows children to explore pretend scenarios and roles by using their imaginations. These scenarios are rehearsals for real life! Teachers regularly observe that play on the Firetruck helps the children to practice real-life situations in a safe, controlled environment.

The Firetruck has led directly to concrete learning and discussions about community helpers and what they do. Fires are extinguished and animals are saved on an almost daily basis. Being a firefighter on the Playhouse Firetruck provides regular opportunities for social/emotional learning as well. There are two steering wheels, and while everyone wants to “drive” the children communicate and negotiate about who will drive, who will hold the imaginary hoses, and even, who will use their voice as the siren. All of this learning about sharing, communication, and decision making takes place with the unwavering support of our teachers.

The Firetruck is sometimes transformed into an ice cream truck in the child’s minds, where children “make and sell” ice cream. When children play with this structure as an ice cream truck, imaginary scenarios around cooking, temperature, buying, and selling are prominent. During this play, children are also learning about decision making, goal setting, and awareness of others’ emotions.

The crawl space underneath the Firetruck is a space that has been used by children as a den for imaginary hibernating animals, a submarine for underwater exploration, a spaceship, and a house for a family.  Only a few children can use this part of the Firetruck at a time, so they learn and practice patience as well as turn-taking so that they can gain access to this cozy, coveted space.

Many Playhouse children have their very first climbing experience on the Firetruck. So, in addition to the endless creative play it promotes, it is also a place where even our youngest children can experiment with and build their gross motor skills. The Firetruck is essential to the quality of the play-based and social/emotional learning of the children that Playhouse serves.