The Benefits of Make-Believe For Children

The benefits of pretend play are increasingly recognised, with playing 'make believe' now understood to be stimulating for children and conducive to their intellectual development.

Children learn from experience and observation of what happens around them and draw on all of their senses to do so. Through pretend play, which typically begins around the age of two, these little sponges are encouraged to develop their social and problem solving skills, are assisted with language development and supported to consider ways of overcoming a variety of challenges.

Experiential learning enables children to make sense of their world, practice behaviours and develop language for use in a range of situations.

While it is not necessary to use tangible items, you can encourage your child to engage in pretend play by keeping a collection of everyday items and practical toys. Tea sets, play kitchens, plastic food and fruit models, dolls houses, building toys, costumes, masks, children's versions of everyday tools such as hammers, kitchen utensils and telephones are all great items to support children's imaginative play! Here's a list of 4 benefits of buying learning toys for your children: 1. Social skills: Around preschool age, children learn to play with others in the sense that they are able to mutually develop complex story lines for their play.
Negotiation, cooperation and sharing become central to their play.

This can be seen as children play 'families', 'schools' or re-enact a visit to a health professional, store or other place.
Even when children seem to disagree or be in conflict, they are developing important problem solving and negotiation skills. Storytelling and social play can be encouraged by supporting your child to develop relationships with other children, such as classmates, neighbours and other friends.
Sometimes children will need you to role play to understand the skills and behaviours required for their game.
This means you may need to take on the role of teacher, nurse or bus driver! As your child grows to understand the social nuances, you will be able to withdraw and allow them to take over the play.

2.

Language Development: Oral language is the way that we tend to explain our feelings and thoughts but before children are able to express themselves through language, they are able to express feelings through play and other creative or expressive activities.

Careful observation of a child's play might reveal that they are hurt, experiencing difficulty, are angry, frustrated or confused. Gradually, pretend play supports children to develop language for expressing their feelings and ideas and communication with others.

3.
Emotional Development: By re-enacting or creating particular episodes, children become equipped to understand and manage feelings.
Pretend play offers a valuable in road to discussion feelings with your child and can assist you to help them develop language to cope with particular situations.
Your child needs to know that you accept and believe their world of play and, upon invitation, are willing to join in.

Pretend play enhances children's ability to empathise and your positive re-enforcement of this play can boost self-esteem.
4.

Creativity and Imagination: Pretend play liberates children to be anyone and do anything! They can overcome the impossible and have the freedom to express all ideas and beliefs. The stories that a child creates in their imagined world gives him or her complete control and this is an important aspect of learning.

So, don't be shy in getting involved in your child's game of make believe, tap into the fun and freedom of childhood! Your encouragement and participation shows your child that you are interested in their world and strengthens the trust they have in you and their comprehension of the world around them.