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