ABSTRACT
Two kinds of assumption can be made about the educational (as distinct from the therapeutic) value of children's playing of roles. The first ascribes a present value to this kind of play. In assuming first the role of parent, teacher, doctor, shopkeeper, then that of son (or daughter), pupil, patient, customer, the child learns the appropriate reactions he must make when encountering adults in their different roles. It is also thought that role-playing can be instrumental in developing empathy towards other role-incumbents. A second assumption is that role-playing is anticipatory. In learning the meanings which attach to different roles the child is prepared for possible eventual assumption of these. Thus, as well as learning how to react to adult role-incumbents, he is also learning how to be a parent and a worker. How far do these explanations justify the playing of roles in mock political activity ?
