Learning to Play Again – Adding Imagination to your Homeschooling

Pretend play, it seems, is under attack from a fast-paced digital world. Maybe it’s time to start changing that.

Prior to the electronic invasion of our homes, it was not uncommon to encounter a wide variety of play activities. Building blocks, paper airplanes, trains made from cardboard boxes, paints and crayons, dress-up wardrobes, Fisher Price’s Little People sets and more. I think it’s time to bring these activities back into our homes!

Imagination, creativity, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, thinking, learning and problem solving, and physical development, are among the benefits of pretend play.

Five reasons to encourage pretend play (Therapies for Kids Website)

1. To encourage imagination & creativity

Builds a child’s ability for flexibility and then creativity.
How to think for themselves.
Helps children understand another point of view.

2. Supports social & emotional development

As they pretend to be different people or control objects, they are practicing social and emotional roles of life.
They learn how to walk in someone else’s shoes – often mum or dad.
Develop self-esteem and self-awareness.
Learn how to recognize and respond to others feelings when involved in group imaginary activities.

3. Improves language and communication skills

They learn new language that they might not encounter every day.
It’s fun and provides opportunities for discussion.
Gives them control and can help decrease anxiety as language becomes more familiar.
They have to communicate their thoughts to others – an essential social skill.

4. Develops thinking, learning, and problem-solving

By the nature of pretend play, children are presented with problems and scenarios to solve or plan.
How to cope/change when something doesn’t go to plan in a game.
Develop their memory.
Abstract thinking – when an object/person takes on a different meaning.

5. Enhances physical development:

Often physical – e.g. being an aeroplane, climbing ladders as a fire fighter, etc.
Fine motor skills developed while feeding and dressing a doll.
Learning about rough and tumble and limits.

How to encourage pretend play:

Play together face to face so your child can copy your gestures/pretend actions.
Follow your child’s lead – play with things your child is interested in.
Keep it simple – repetition is fun.
Take turns – the play becomes a “conversation.”
Choose the right toys.
Introduce new ideas when they can link ideas together – e.g. if they like to play with cars, take them to the mechanic.

Benefits of pretend play:

Allows you new ways to connect with your child
You can follow their lead and join in with their interests.
Motivating and connecting for all involved.
Helps your child think symbolically.
Develops critical thinking.

Toys for pretend play:

Vehicles (not just for boys!)
- Common in children’s lives – so good for simple pretend.
- They can put a driver in and go to the mechanic.
- Use a shoe box to make a car/bus.
Playdough – In early play, make simple/familiar objects. Later, make food for the tea set, make roads, etc.
Costumes and props – old hats/shoes/scarves/coats. Bags/briefcase/boxes for store/shop, etc.
Favorite stuffed animal or doll – great for feeding and pretending real life situations.
Puppets – moving parts help them come to “life.”
- Encourages joint/peer play in older children.
Blocks and Lego – initially might build simple and familiar objects (e.g. house/car). Later might “pretend” that individual blocks are something real (e.g. a bed/food for animals, etc.).
Toy food/dishes/groceries – initially feed the animal, later then a restaurant, have a tea party.

edited by Meg Rayborn Dawson

MA, Exceptional Student Ed (University of W. Florida)

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