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Mom's nightgown, high-heeled shoes and a fancy hat; a raincoat, pair of boots and the vacuum hose, a towel tied around the neck and cries of "up, up and away", or a diaper tied neatly on a doll or stuffed animal are some familiar sites within a preschooler's world.
Whether it's a fashion model or fireman, Superman or Daddy, children bury themselves in situations they create through pretend play, that's based on reality as they see it and deal with it. They use all kinds of props and create situation, based on their limited experiences, and engage in make believe play. They are the participants. They are the stars. They act out scenes that seem to be casual play. Yet there's more than meets the eye of the parent who's watching.
Pretend play helps the child re-enact everyday experiences that have had an innate (delete) effect upon him. It helps the child work through problems or a painful situation. It allows the child to test his strengths and weakness. And as the preschooler expands his horizons, goes beyond the security of the home |
and protection of those within his safe circle, he faces a strange world. It's exciting and frightening. He needs all the help he can to cope with the troubles and insecurities he's experiencing. One powerful way the preschooler has to deal with his "new world" is by pretend play and make-believe. A seemingly childish act is actually a natural coping phenomenon with great benefits to the child and the astute parent.
Educational and psychological studies have shown that pretend play has definite advantages for children. Here are ten long-term reasons why (delete) a parents should encourage and, if asked, participate in the make-believe world of their child:
1. Makes a happier and more active child.
2. Reduces restlessness and enables the child to entertain himself.
3. Increases attention span.
4. Helps the child understand the emotions and feelings of others and be more empathetic.
5. Encourages the child to think in different ways and increase problem solving skills.
6. Prepares the child in accepting new situations with less fear and frustration.
7. Builds self confidence and good feelings about himself.
8. Enables the child to understand how and why people function in different situations by taking on their role (parent, teacher, community worker).
9. Improves thinking skills that allow for a more open and flexible child who is able to think logically and distinguish between fantasy and reality.
10. Develops verbal skills that enable the child to express more imaginative, complex ideas.
The preschool years are a time that cannot be matched by any other age. It is during this time that make believe play turns on the child's imagination, and lets it soar and develop with a rich fullness that helps influence his future.
Recognize its importance, let it happen, and learn from your free-spirited preschooler.
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