Topic

Imaginative play

What stimulates: imagination, curiosity

Preparation and materials:

Whatever materials/toys the child is interested in.

These may include:

  • building blocks
  • soft toys
  • Cups, plastic bottles, spoons, straws, plastic plates
  • cardboard boxes

Recommended ages:

3 to 5 years

5 to 8 years

Why is this activity important?

Imaginative play, or make-believe, engages children as it allows them to explore areas of their reality that interest them. It is important because it allows children to understand what they have experienced and to develop skills such as problem solving, creative thinking and teamwork. From the earliest years of life, a child's imagination allows him to visit places and explore possibilities while practicing how to navigate situations. Allow your child to express their will as they feel empowered by their play, taking the lead and making choices.

How can you do that:

FOR AGES 3-5 AND 5-8 YEARS OF AGE:

Take time to play with your child in any imaginative way he wants or is interested. See your child immersed in imaginative play. However, here are some suggestions to start or encourage imaginative play:

  • Pretending to be animals playing outdoors
  • Creating a castle or house using building blocks
  • Pretending to be a doctor or veterinarian taking care of a soft toy
  • Pretending to cook and host lunch with friends

As you immerse yourself in imaginative play with your child, allow your child to lead the way. Avoid making statements during the play or asking too many questions to allow your imaginative thoughts to flow naturally.

Try to remember some notable and interesting choices your child made during play. When you're done, you can ask them about the choices they've made:

  • Why did you decide?
  • Would you do the same next time? Why not?
  • What else could we build/create/do/do next time?

Tips on how to do this activity in a group

If you have a room in which groups of children play for long periods of time, consider creating spaces in the room with objects for make-believe or imagination play. For example, in a box you can have paper plates, plastic cutlery and cups for children to snack on. You can also have a collection of recycled materials, such as bottles or boxes, for children to build structures.

To think about

To play make-believe, it is not necessarily necessary to have toys ready. A simple cardboard box, a wooden spoon and a pan, for example, can provide great moments of play and stimulate the child's imagination.

The main attitude of the adult in relation to this game is to organize a place with toys such as dolls, pans, plates, spoons, furniture, clothes, shoes, adult bags, carts, trucks, building blocks, among others.

The organization of boxes with different objects and materials also stimulates and enriches make-believe play, as they allow the child to invent, play with them in various ways; they also develop the child's ability to create and imagine.

Without interfering and being invited by the children, the adult participates with them in the game. The child creates his rules and his way of playing.

Follow the pretend play topic and learn more about the importance of make-believe for children's development. At e-Toys and Play you have these and many other play tips!

Você está aqui:
Você está aqui: