Children are born with the natural ability to play and pretend but as with all innate abilities, nurturing them is critical. Children must be given lots of indoor and outdoor play opportunities, time and encouragement to be imaginative. These days, limiting screen time, electronic toys and computers are also important because their seductive power can take the place of important imaginary play. Children who say they are "bored" and want to play video games often have not have enough chances to exercise their imagination muscles!
Children's play, especially in the early years, is richer when adults make suggestions, provide props, use vocabulary and even sometimes, participate! It's important, however, to let children take the lead and for adults to follow along or be directed by children when joining in their play. Young kids love it when you allow them to "make" you stand, dress or behave in a way they want. The payoff can be some hilarious, family bonding moments.
Some parents are fearful of behaving in silly ways with their children. Will parents still be respected? Will their authority challenged? Be reassured - even if parents take a playful, submissive or subservient role during playtime, their authority with children remains intact.
Why is imaginary play, or make-believe, so vital? It has proven to be a key role in fostering a child’s development, both socially and cognitively. Imaginary play affords children the opportunity to experiment with different events, experiences and possibilities in their lives. Engaging in imaginary play with others helps teach children how to cooperate, share, and develop empathy. Many studies show that imaginary play also helps children build basic vocabulary, problem solve, and acquire important self-regulation skills that help them manage their feelings and emotions. This self-regulation, also known as executive function, helps kids control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control. It has also been shown to be a better predictor of success in school than a child’s IQ.
Here are some easy ways to encourage imaginary play in your home:
• Create a prop box filled with objects that spark imagination. Include costumes, old clothes, wigs, and hats for dress-up, cooking utensils, old telephones, and other objects from around the house, boxes and containers of various sizes, stuffed animals and dolls, blankets and fabrics, even object from nature like rocks and sticks.
• When buying toys for your child, look for toys that have many potential uses—a puppet theater with a variety of puppets or a wide range of art supplies will encourage your child to use their imagination in their play.
• If your child engages in imaginary play with you, follow their lead. Don't take over by questioning, instructing or intruding on her contributions to the play theme.
• Try not to interrupt children's play. If you must take your astronaut to the grocery store, let him stay in his space suit for the excursion. When it's time to eat lunch, maybe he can eat in his refrigerator box-turned-space-capsule.
• Think your child is too young for creative play? The surprise element of peek-a-boo and jack-in-the-box gear infants up for creative play later in life. Even picture books and stuffed animals can be used to spark the imagination.
In our busy lives we often don’t allow ourselves the time to be creative and cultivate our own imaginations. If this is true for you, take a cue from your child with the banana in her hand and pick up your own banana with a resounding, “Hello!” |
What can I do to cultivate my child’s imagination?