The city play entails creating a miniature city in the early childhood environment, with a “grocery shop”, hairdresser, garage, doctor) that the children have imagined and wished for. The children are customers or workers in the play, and use play money. The play can help to apply cross-curricular learning practices. The city play can engage several orientations of the ECEC curriculum, as well as the objectives of digitalisation, internationalisation and sustainable development.

Duration/scope

This is a slightly longer game. The urban environment can be left in place for a week, for example, and different groups can take turns to play in the environment.

Learning objectives

The child is introduced to the concept of employment and is guided to learn about different occupations.

The child learns what money is and what it is used for.

The child learns cooperation and interaction skills, self-help, and shared responsibility.

What entrepreneurial skills does the tool reinforce?

Spotting opportunities, working with others, learning from experience.

Implementation tips

Recycled materials such as milk cans and leftover craft materials can be used to build an urban environment. Teachers can also ask parents for old cereal boxes, juice bottles, etc.