Preschoolers and Pretend Play

Written by Summer Minor

Monday, 07 July 2008

The height of imagination comes during the preschool years. Reality and fantasy are blurred together to create rich and vivid scenes for a young child. The act of playing pretend and using their imagination is a huge step forward in brain power for preschoolers. They are developing social skills, working through fears, trying out new roles, and stimulating brain growth all at once. Not bad for something only thought of as a simple game of make believe.

While it is clear that imagination is important for preschoolers, promoting it can be difficult for parents. TV viewing is one thing that can harm their growing imagination and disrupt the art of pretend. Drs. Jerome and Dorothy Singer of Yale University studied children and found that those who watched television from a young age were less imaginative and creative. Similarly they also found that children who are more aggressive and hostile also tend to have less of an imagination and are less apt to play pretend.

Children who pretend play often are more creative and can be more social. They can use their imagination to act out social scenes with friends which both builds their friendships and also prepares them for interacting in areas outside of their play.

Encourage creative play when your preschooler has friends over or is playing with others at the park. Props such as dress-up clothes or child-sized versions of adults items can be a great way to get their imagination growing. One easy way to do this is to have a special box or drawer full of the various props and toys your preschooler might enjoy. Toy cooking sets, baby dolls, puppets, and costumes are all perfect toys to have on hand.

Of course make believe is not just for the children. Joining in with your preschooler's pretend play will not only encourages more play but it can also be a great way to bond even more. Make loud noises, talk to the toys, and put on some of the dress clothes too. Not only is this considered a huge delight to young children, it is also a good way for parents to stay connected with their children. Noticing patterns of their pretend play, subjects they continue to act out, and scenarios that that they enjoy the most will help you to better understand how and what your preschooler is thinking.

Some parents worry that their prescholers may have an over-active imagination. At this age, however, there can almost never be too much play. It is normal for some preschoolers to live more in their fantasy world than in the real world. However there can be some signs of underlying issues that are acted out in pretend play. If a certain scenario is repeated constantly it could be a way for your preschooler to communicate a fear or need. If you notice your preschooler acting out the same fantasy repeatedly for over a week it could be important to take note of what exactly is being acted out and what the game could be representing.

A preschooler who rarely interacts with other children and chooses to pretend play on their own, ignoring other children, could also have unresolved issues. Preschoolers tend to be very social, especially when playing creatively. Choosing to stay back could mean some emotional trouble, or simply that your child is shy. If you are concerned talk to your child's doctor about it. It may also help to ask your preschool teacher or child care provider if you child acts the same while out of your care.

Watching your preschooler's creativity bloom can be hilarious and amazing. The crazy, odd, and comical situations they build in their own minds can keep a mother laughing all day. And knowing that with every twist they are also building mental skills that will last a lifetime is pretty cool too.

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