Pretend Play For Children Of All Ages

Little children have very big imaginations. Make-believehousehold type toys. Miniature cleaning supplies, food
and pretend play are a primary part of daily play forand kitchen utensils, and child-sized furniture are all ideal
most children. As early as the toddler years, little oneschoices.
create their own play scenarios. Pretend play andDress-up clothes, puppets, and soft dolls will also spur
dramatic play typically continue throughout childhood,a preschoolers imagination. Provide your preschooler
into the late elementary years and is a vital part ofwith a variety of art supplies as well. Crayons, paper,
healthy childhood development.glue sticks, yarn, tissue paper, felt scraps, and buttons
Imaginative play helps a child explore her own feelingswill allow your child to create her own imaginary toys
and emotions about a variety of situations. Childrenand props. Dollhouses are also excellent preschool
can overcome fears, like going to the doctor, throughtoys for pretend play. The Our House dollhouse
pretend play. They can consider all kinds of differentincludes all the furniture your little one will need to play
career tracks or practice the parenting skills they willhouse with the included family of four.
use in the future. Children can pretend alone or in groupOlder preschoolers and early elementary age children
play with their friends. Both solo and group dramaticare beginning to explore their communities. Blocks and
play enhances language skills, social behavior, problemtoy buildings allow children to create neighborhoods
solving, and many other areas of development.and cities in their play. Over-sized boxes or play tents
Most children can play make-believe with a barecan provide life-size buildings for a pretend community.
minimum of toys and props, but there are a number ofChildren this age enjoy dolls and action figures as well
items that will make play time even more fun. The bestas dress-up clothes and accessories for community
toys to encourage pretend play are those that allow afigures like the mail man or police officers.
child to use his imagination to decide the toys purpose.During the elementary school years, children will begin
Choose safe, long-lasting toys that fit with your childsto practice their lives as adults. School-age children
personal interests. Provide your child with a selection ofhave more specific interests and hobbies and place
age-appropriate toys that promote self-discovery andgreat value on their friends. Small tools and
creativity.wood-working equipment are great for imaginative
Toddler aged children usually play alone or play parallelplay at this age. Dolls, action figures, and all their
to another child who is playing similarly, but will typicallyaccessories encourage older children to pretend as
not participate in group play. Children this age like towell. Provide your school-age child with a selection of
imitate their parents. Ride-on cars and push toys likescience toys, magic kits, and toys specific to a certain
small vacuum cleaners or lawnmowers not onlyprofession, like veterinarian instruments and stuffed
enhance muscle development, they also encourageanimals or digging tools and a magnifying glass for an
toddlers to pretend. Toys that allow children to playarcheologist.
house are typically the beginning of many years ofNo matter what age your child is, stay involved in his
dramatic play.play. Encourage pretend play by asking open-ended
As a child progresses into his preschool years, playquestions and remember to follow your childs lead
becomes much more social. Preschoolers love to playwhile you play together. Almost any toy can become
in small groups and their growing language skills cana part of make-believe play. Choose a wide selection
take dramatic play to new levels. At this age mostof toys and props that cater to your childs individual
children are still primarily interested in the way lifeinterests.
works at home so provide plenty of everyday