FOL Fridays: Pretend Play

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Theresa Case

Imitation is the first stage of pretend play. As imitation evolves, it becomes more imaginative. The complexity of pretend play can be seen when a child re-examines life experiences by adding or changing the happening. Benefits of pretend play include:

vocabulary development
social skill development
differentiation between reality and fantasy
emotional support

Ideas for parents: Play is a child’s work, and one of the best things you can do for your child is to let him just play. Have a dress-up box with costumes and props. Save empty boxes or cardboard containers that can become forts, binoculars, or doll houses. And when you can, play WITH your child and enter into their world of imagination. There’s nothing quite being like a kid again – even if it’s just for a little while!

- Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

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