Also known as family play or dramatic play. Imaginative play always involves pretending. It is a very important part of your child’s development and an aspect of early childhood education that we always encourage.
When your child pretends to be someone (a teacher or a fireman) or something (a dog or a tiger) they are learning. Pretending allows a child to enter a different life which immediately opens a new world of possibility. These new possibilities demand a new and different way of thinking and doing.
Children might engage in conversations with their toys, which allows them to develop their language skills. Building tents, dancing, leaping, crawling and climbing all helps to develop coordination and strength.
What do our tamariki learn through imaginative play?
- Language Development
- Expressing feelings – both positive and negative
- Solving problems
- Being creative
- Sharing, socialising and cooperating
- Understanding new experiences
- Physical development
When play involves other people, places and animals, opportunities arise for children to become aware of how others feel. This develops a sense of empathy.
Children are free to experiment without fear of failing. This builds confidence and a sense of self.
Thinking Skills & Imaginative Play
Playing pretend games is an opportunity for children to make sense of what is happening in their lives and the world around them. Imaginative play is a very natural way for our tamariki to solve problems and communicate.
Maybe they are going to go camping in the jungle and decide they need a tent. The children will begin to problem solve what they need and how to make it.
Or perhaps more than one child wants to be the “teacher” in a game. The thinking skills involved in solving that dilemma are critical to every aspect of life, now and in the future.
Thinking skills include
- Negotiating
- Persuading
- Conflict resolution
- Taking Responsibility
When conflict arises during imaginative play our children are encouraged to find ways to compromise. This is a life skill that benefits every one of us.
How Do We Support Imaginative Play?
- Offer suggestions but don’t take over
- Join in using similar language
- Find books or experiences that will stimulate new ideas
- Discuss their ideas without trying to direct them
Resources that Spark Imagination
We provide resources for our tamariki that fuel their dramatic play
- Dress up clothes and accessories like hats and shoes
- Cultural resources
- Dolls and animals
- Writing materials
- Old magazines or newspapers
- Tables and chairs
- Boxes
- Fabric
- Natural resources like stones and shells
- Music and instruments
Studies have proven that supporting and encouraging creative play helps to develop language, physical, cognitive and social development.
For more information
Family and dramatic play – Ngā whakaari ā-whānau
The Power of Pretending by Carol Marks
https://www.elp.co.nz/files/marks_c_the_power_of_pretending.pdf
Comment (1)
Children and the Power of Music Making - Tiny Stars Auckland
[…] the human voice, (remember your baby is not Simon Cowell judging your ability!) All that matters is imagination and having […]