- Definition
When your child is "in role," it means they are pretending to be a character, like in a play or a game.
When a child pretends to be a firefighter putting out a fire, they are acting in role.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Being in role is like when you pretend to be a character in a game, like a puppy or a doctor.
Ask your child: How would a grumpy giant walk?
Common mix-up: Kids might think being in role is just playing pretend. The key is to think, speak, and move as if you truly are that character in that moment.
Examples
- Pretending to be a shopkeeper talking to a customer.
- Acting like a sad bear who has lost its honey.
in role is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+6 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
