Often play is seen as a reprieve from "real work". When really play is where the richest learning happens.
Dramatic play such as playing house, pretending to be a postal worker or running a market is incredibly beneficial for a child's development. In such play, children express their ideas, thoughts and feelings, learn how to control their emotions, interact with others, resolve conflicts and gain a sense of competence (Singer, Golinkoff, & Hirsh-Pasek, 2006).
Not only that, when role playing real life scenarios children will be building their ability to communicate, money sense, and daily life skills that they need to engage and thrive in the world.
As a caregiver your only job is to provide your child with the resources they need engage in dramatic play. They will take it from there as they follow their natural inclinations:
Materials that can inspire pretend play:
- real life toys such as play kitchens, tool boxes, cleaning tools, cash registers, a medical kit and play money
- costumes
- craft supplies for they can make their own dramatic play items such as paper, pipe cleaners, and glue
- cardboard boxes that can become a table for their cafe, a mailbox for their postal service or a house for them to live in
- printables (such as those shown below) that inspire creative play
Join Earlybird for purposeful dramatic play printables that will have your child growing their imaginations while also building their money math and life skills.
