Encouraging children to “use their imaginations” or motivating them to engage in “pretend play” is an important part of child development.
Before looking at the benefits, it helps to define what pretend play entails.
According to experts from Parents.com, pretend play, also known as dramatic or imaginative play, gives children the opportunity to express themselves, engage in creative thinking, and practice conflict resolution. It often involves children acting out different scenarios as they play or tell a story.
While pretend play can look like simple fun, it plays a meaningful role in development. It helps strengthen critical life and learning skills, including creatvity, problem solving, and conflict resolution, while also supporting social and emotional growth.
. Below are five ways experts say pretend play can help strengthen a child’s growing brain.
Pretend play can help to foster expression and creative thinking
“Pretend play allows your kids to express and act out different scenarios. These can be scenes they’re recreating or new interactions altogether,” article author Holly Garcia states. She continues, “Creating play scenarios with others highlights the importance of imagination. Not only will their imagination inspire the scene, but who knows how the ending will go.”
Grab some popcorn, sit back, and watch your child save Gotham or even the world.
Pretend play can help children with communication skills and self-regulation
“When your child pretends to be an astronaut in a space station or plays school with their friends, communication and self-regulation naturally come into play. And, of course, whether it’s frustration with the group or even with themselves, pretend play is a prime opportunity for your child to practice controlling their emotional reactions.”
Pretend play can help children with problem-solving and conflict resolution
“These skills can be practically applied, like in the previously mentioned scenario, or they can be used when creating pretend play scenes. Examples of this could be improvising and using alternatives when it comes to props or costumes,” Garcia says.
She gives an example of just how parents can encourage “resolving a problem”. “For example, if your child is slaying dragons, and they don’t have access to a real sword (or likely even a play one), what can they do, create, or use instead to solve this problem?”
These are two skills that even some adults struggle with. By incorporating problem-solving aspects and conflict resolution to pretend play scenarios puts children ahead of the class developmentally.
Pretend play can help children develop both socially and emotionally
“Kids learn to take turns, share, and work together through play—and, particularly, their interactions with others. They also learn how to practice compassion and empathy. When kids play doctor, for example, they practice being kind. They also learn how to help others. Pretend play is a great way for your child to develop socially and emotionally.”
Pretend play can help children gain a sense of independence
“While the social and emotional benefits of pretend play (and really, any type of play) are well known, did you know imaginative play fosters independence too? It’s true,” Garcia states.
“Because this type of play allows your child the freedom to use their imagination—and take risks—it will help them develop confidence, autonomy, and independence.”
