Pretend play is valuable for children and adults benefit from entering a child’s imaginary world as well. When your child engages in pretend play they often mimic the adult world. They learn to understand responsibility. They try on different roles and explore a variety of careers. Children often mimic the adult world that they experience. You will see yourself in your child as they play. Once I caught my two-year-old daughter putting her doll in time out. Then she picked up the doll, gave it a hug, and said, “I still love you.”
As children immerse themselves in pretend play they experience different emotions. When they pretend with other children they learn to share, take turns, express themselves, and mimic others. Often children will take on a leadership role while pretending when otherwise they would not. Pretend play is also valuable because it is a time when children use their verbal skills.
Pretend play is valuable for adults as well. Playing provides a down time that adults need. It gives parents an opportunity to observe their child in a non-threatening environment. As parents play with their children they can better understand their child’s desires, behavior, and temperament. When you pretend play with your child let them instigate the play. This makes them feel important and builds their confidence.
Providing props and a space to spread out are important when playing. Use these ideas to enhance your child’s pretend play.
Doctor: You can find a doctor kit for under $10 at many stores. Add a few real bandages and your child is set. All they need is a willing patient, which you can easily provide.
Grocery Store: Get some paper bags from the real grocery store and cut out or buy paper money. Then let your children get out the cans and boxes of dried food and make their own store. I have many fond memories of shopping in our living room as a child.
Office: Provide your children with an old telephone, keyboard, pencils, paper, and envelopes and let your child pretend to work in an office.
Construction/Mechanic: Buy a simple set of tools and then let your children pretend to fix broken items or build new ones.
Camping:Put a blanket or sheet over some chairs for a tent. Then put blankets and pillows inside. Get a flashlight and some marshmallows then read or tell stories.