| Once upon time, you may have worn your | | | | stand the size of your arm. But the benefits |
| mother's favorite apron while arranging | | | | it can bring to your child won't make it so |
| miniature tea sets on a tiny table, serving | | | | ridiculous anymore. |
| imaginary tea and scones to your favorite | | | | |
| doll. Or you may have been in command of your | | | | Benefits of Pretend Play |
| action figures, leading them to the | | | | |
| battlefield in the center of your living | | | | Social and Emotional Development - Children |
| room. | | | | can become whoever they want to be in pretend |
| | | | play. Because of this, they are able to get a |
| The character you were playing when you were | | | | very basic view of how it's like to be a |
| young - a chef in a play kitchen or a general | | | | doctor with his toy hospital or how it's like |
| in the Stars Wars of your imagination - are | | | | to be a chef with her play kitchen. As kids |
| still perhaps being played by many children | | | | act out the part of somebody else, empathy is |
| nowadays. Pretend play is such a source of | | | | planted. When children realize they can be |
| joy that even with the advent of so many | | | | any character they want to be, their |
| modern games, this old-fashioned imaginative | | | | self-confidence could grow. And with this |
| play never loses its appeal. | | | | comes the desire and strength to explore new |
| | | | things. |
| Promoting Pretend Play | | | | |
| | | | Mental Development - Even if it's just |
| Because of the many benefits it can give, | | | | child's play, there are also many |
| children should be encouraged to engage in | | | | problem-solving situations that children |
| pretend play. But never impose the idea or it | | | | encounter during role playing. It may be a |
| will lose its appeal. Here are some scenarios | | | | concern on what material should best replace |
| for starting a pretend play: | | | | a lost play kitchen spoon or who among the |
| | | | action figures to pick as the second in |
| - If you see your little girl constantly | | | | command. The process of looking for solutions |
| dressing up her doll, ask her where her dolly | | | | to obstacles develops the analytical skills |
| is off to and maybe it's better for little | | | | of your child. It also promotes |
| dolly to have something to eat in the play | | | | resourcefulness, creativity, abstract |
| kitchen before taking off. | | | | thinking and logical reasoning. |
| | | | |
| - When your little boy is playing with his | | | | Communication - Whether children are playing |
| action figures, comment on how the little | | | | with their parents, playmates, dolls or |
| ones need the guidance of a teacher or the | | | | imaginary friends, they will always engage in |
| care of a doctor. | | | | conversation. A child starts to learn the |
| | | | importance of communication, especially when |
| - If your child pretends to be a wild animal | | | | he or she mimics grown-up talk and actions. |
| ready to pounce on you, go along with it. You | | | | When children pretend to read to their dolls |
| can act scared at first and then pretend to | | | | or write down grocery lists, they may be |
| tame him by giving imaginary food and petting | | | | motivated to start learning how to read and |
| him on the head. | | | | write. |
| | | | |
| As children warm up to the idea of role | | | | So encourage your child to pretend play. You |
| playing, whoever's babysitting would usually | | | | can start off by presenting a play kitchen or |
| be assigned a role. It may seem ridiculous | | | | a doctor's kit. Remember, the skills that |
| for a grown up like you to assist in a play | | | | your child learns here are the skills that |
| kitchen or act as the customer in a lemonade | | | | matter in real life. |