things to nurture pretend play at home

by Emily

Pretend play is vital to your child's development.  That is why they have centers in pre-school and young elementary grades.  At preschool your child may play in a medical or doctor center, where they are given a lab coat, stethoscope, and band-aids.  Based on personal events and experiences such as movies, books, or stories the kids will create scenes to act out with their friends.  They will assign parts and roles to everyone playing, really just mimicking what they have seen.  It is remarkable to watch because it reminds your what a little sponge you have on your hands.  Ways to bring these tendencies out?

1. Create a center at your home.  What better way for your child to learn all about camping than to act it out and actually camp?  Do you have one of those play pop-up tents around (you can get them at sporting goods stores, Wal-Mart, or even IKEA)?  You can get as creative as you want with your theme.  Rummage through your cabinets for a canteen, a saucepan, etc.  Do you need a campfire?  Look around or go outside and get actual twigs and branches to pretend with. 
2. Change out your center.  Even the best of things get boring and have to come to an end.  Is your child tired of camping?  The themes are endless- why not try a forest, or a restaurant with your child being the waiter, or maybe a grocery store? 
3. Have your child come up with the theme.  Place a bunch of different items together and see what your child comes up with. 
4. Use what you already have at home.  If your child is pretending he is a monkey, that doesnt mean you need to buy him the costume at Party City.  Encourage creativity and have him come up with things he can use to make himself a monkey.
5. Pretend play with your child.  Get in there and play along with your child as they are pretending.  My son had created a fort or hideout with the couch pillows and was pretending he was a kitty inside.  He got a kick out of me joining him in his little pillow house meowing right with him. 

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