Have you made a reservation sir? Talking & Learning in Hotel Pretend Play

When we set up our play pods we understand that children may have lots of experience in this world (shop or cafe); they may have limited experience (pizzeria or florist) or they may have no experience at all (airplane or news desk). Of course this varies considerably. The hotel play pod was one of the set-ups that we knew children may not have experienced. But this is actually key to pretend play. We are not sure what is more exciting to watch.  The rapid expansion of play after a little bit of  ‘big people’ support for a child who may never have stayed at a hotel or the joy of a child being able to replicate over and over an experience they enjoyed.  ​

Hotel play suggests two immediate roles - the receptionist and the guest.  Two great (potentially new) words to learn and then the exploration of  the different conversations both roles can engage in. But there are so many other opportunities - the cleaner, the valet, the concierge (remember our common theme is having ‘big people’ model and extend play if children are ready for these more specific roles even without experience of them).  Have the guests actually driven up to the hotel (or have they arrived by plane). A welcome smile for hotel staff is needed to greet the new guests and check if they have made a reservation?  ​

Receptionists are busy typing details into a laptop or making notes on the booking form such as name and phone numbers.  Then there is the allocation of room numbers, handing out of keys and provision of detailed instructions - where to find the elevator, how to enter their room using the key or swipe card, how to order room service using by dialling 9. Booking in is also an important opportunity to ask for information such as “would they like to use the pool” followed by directions to “make sure you collect a towel on the way to the pool!”

The hotel elevator is always a highlight, sparking fierce negotiation over who gets to “push” the button this time, number recognition practice as the smallest is encouraged to find the floor we need (once she has won the negotiation to push the button), the greeting of new people into the lift and assisting new arrivals by selecting their floor for them.

 From there it is up to the creativity of the guests with ample opportunity for complaints (my room is not clean enough, my bed is too lumpy) requiring responses from reception and further actions of cleaners and concierge to soothe ruffled feelings. Phone calls for room service (or poolside service) can be made. Of course guests at a very good quality hotel will enjoy their breakfast delivered each morning.  Finally there is the checking out process - how was their stay, will they be coming back again, what could we do better?  More writing of notes is needed - a guest satisfaction form to be completed, followed by the task of cleaning the room and setting it up ready for the next guest…
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How much in play learning did you see and inspire at your hotel today?

Side note: Sharna’s children were so inspired by plane and hotel pretend play they took over the house for three days and made everyone engage in the fun. Everyone wanted to stay in the most luxurious suite aka the parent’s bedroom.

Play is contagious - we hope you catch it! 

To help you catch it the first 20 blog readers can download the Hotel DIY Guide for free from our shop using this code 4V7EM3JZ - if you are one of the first 20  you will just need to select to buy the item and at that point you will be asked for the discount code to be able to download it for free.