eLeMeNO-P Kids

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The World of Imagination Play

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Young children learn by imagining and acting. They may pretend to be Mommy talking on her cell phone, they make their Lego figures visit the land of dinosaurs, or they may even crawl around the house on all fours pretending to be a puppy. These are just a few of the millions of ways that children use role play to act out experiences they may have had, or they may have interest in.
The benefits of imaginary play are endless! When your child is engaged in “pretend” or is active in imaginary play, they are developing their brain in countless ways. There has been a ton of research done in early childhood education that identify the values of imaginary play as a vital part of the developing child.
Pretend play prepares the child for adulthood, as well as teaches them how to interact with the world. A child NEEDS pretend play in their life!
Benefits of Imaginary Play

Benefits of Imaginary Play:

Play, including pretend play, is how a child learns. Undirected, unrestricted, and imaginative play are the best kinds of play! Pretend play encourages the child to learn about the world around them, in ways that make sense to them. A child can also make sense of scary things by pretending.
Let’s talk about some of the parts of the child that develop as they engage in imaginary play.
  • Social & Emotional Skills:
When your child is engaged in pretend play, this is how they experiment with the social roles in their life. You may notice that your child wants to pretend to be a doctor and perform a checkup right before their own Dr.’s visit. This is because they are making sense of what will happen while at the doctor. Pretending to be the doctor comforts them and prepares them for when they are the patient. This kind of play allows the child to be able to take on the role of being someone else, or “walking in someone’s shoes.” This helps them develop sympathy, empathy, nurturing, and more feelings as they see the world from their perspective through someone else’s eyes.
  • Language Skills:

Imaginary play helps a child understand the power of language. You may even hear them say some words that you didn’t even know they knew! Children are great at copying the grown ups in their lives–mom, dad, teacher. In order to be engaged in imaginary play, a child must have the right words to act out the story or scenario, so imaginary play allows them to come up with the words as they go along.

  • Problem Solving Skills:

Imaginary play allows the child to re-enact situations they see in their daily lives, including problems faced. What happens when Mommy is cooking dinner and the child spills her milk? How does Mommy react? These are the types of situations that allow the child to engage in pretend play, and solve dilemmas that arise. By practicing problem-solving skills in imaginary situations, this will better prepare the child for solving problems in real-life situations.

  • Cooperative Play:

Much of the time, when a child is engaged in imaginary play, they are playing with other children. These situations require that each child takes on the role they are to play, and to stay within those boundaries. Research shows that children are better able to control themselves and their impulses more when they are engaged in imaginary play than at other times.

How to Encourage Imaginative Play with our Children
 
Adults often underestimate the power of pretend play. Sometimes, our minds just can’t go there. I know I struggle playing dinosaurs with my 5 year old. Just not my thing. However, play is a child’s way of engaging in and making sense of the world around them. Pretend play is proven to develop social/emotional skills, language skills, thinking skills, eye hand coordination, spacial skills, all while allowing them to safely express their feelings.
Provide a Place of Pretend
 
Provide your child with a place that they can pretend, but don’t always restrict it to one area of the house. A bunny has to hop around. You don’t have to feel like you are reinventing the wheel, or go out and spend a lot of money. Remove all of the kitchen chairs from around the dining room table, place a large sheet over it, and it instantly becomes a cave where foxes live, a fort for soldiers to spend the night, or even a castle where the king and queen lives! The play area should be changed regularly with different props or toys to keep the imagination and pretending running wild!
Provide Props
 
Again, you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money. Some simple items in your home make great pretend play props. And old cardboard box provides many opportunities for a “house”. Remember, the saying “We spent all this money on Christmas gifts, and he loves the box the most?” Exactly! Let your children play with your kitchen apron, rolling pin, or even your old cell phone! Know all of those Halloween costumes you spend money on every year? Don’t put them in the attic–instead, store them within reach in a crate for your child to dress up any day of the week! My 5 year old fluctuates between Obi-Wan Kanobi to Buzz Lightyear to Spiderman. It’s fun!
If you don’t have any costumes, there are TONS of opportunities to get some. Consignment shops, your neighbors, or even Etsy.
 
Erica Leggiero, M.S. Ed.

Erica Leggiero, M.S. Ed.

Erica Leggiero, M.S. Ed. has been working and teaching in the field of early childhood education for over 7 years. Erica is currently the director and teacher at a Preschool Enrichment Program in her area. Erica believes that young children learn best through play and exploration, and she is constantly looking for new and creative ways to incorporate learning through play. She embraces this belief in all of the activities she creates in her preschool classroom, and loves sharing them here on her blog. Erica has also co-authored the book, "Learn With Play" with other kid bloggers in the preschool field.
Erica Leggiero, M.S. Ed.
Erica Leggiero, M.S. Ed.

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