Pretend play is a vital component to a child’s development.
According to PsychologyToday.com pretend play (also referred to as dramatic play) helps the cognitive, social, and emotional development of a child.
Here are several ways that pretend play impacts a child’s development:
- increase use of language and vocabulary
- expressing positive and negative feelings
- increased self-regulation
- empathy
- problem solving
- communication
- cognitive flexibility
- creativity
- organization
Here are some ways that we’ve inspired pretend play in our homes.
Just create an invitation with the materials and let your child take them and use them in a way they are inspired to. Many times my son or daughter would use those materials in a way that I wasn’t planning or thinking they would. THAT IS OK! That is more beneficial than you telling them how to use the materials!
Play Restaurant with Felt Pizzas
Take Your Stuffed Animals for a Walk
Sort Your Play Food and Play Grocery Store
Play Office with an Old Keyboard
Make a Paper Bag Neighborhood for Your Characters
Grocery Shop with Printable Shopping Lists
Open a Letter Store
Make a Carnival with Games
What ways have you inspired play in your home? Leave a comment below to inspire us all!