Pretend play
is a way of incorporating imaginative play
ie with dolls, cars etc with symbolic play ie playing with inanimate
objects.
Take a look
at the Parents.com site, they give some really good tips and ideas for pretend
play ideas that don't even have to cost you anything;
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/lets-play-pretend/
You are
right - it's a great pretend play tool. You can buy a cash register and then
some plastic pretend foods and set up a mini shop or restaurant at home. Not
only is it great for their imagination but also good for learning to count money
etc.
Amazon stock
the one we bought for around $26, take a look;
: I like the
fisher price set as it's really sturdy so it withstands quite a bit of throwing
around. Amazon are selling one for around $15.
Take a look
at this link;
There is no fixed answer to your question. Basically anything that your child finds interesting ie cooking, building, doctors etc can be used as a spring board for parallel play. Don't worry if you don't have any specific toys set aside for this, you can use household items ie take a whisk a bowl and an apron and give them to your son to play with. He will have a great time.
You are
totally right. Pretend play doesn't need a big spending spree to make it fun.
Kids just love using household items for their games. It makes them feel big
and grown up. Here are some examples;
Boxes ie
cardboard
Dressing up
clothes - old shoes, hats and scarves
Blankets and
bottles
Kitchen
equipment
No! in a way
it's a great thing that they are fighting as it's giving them the chance to
learn to problem solve and compromise. Pretend play is like a snap shot of
reality and your kids can learn some very effective skills that will help them
in school and with friendships.
Yes, it's
actually true. Through pretend play, a
toddler is able to 'be someone else' for a while, whether it's just dressing up
or pretending without props, but they can actually attempt to feel what it's
like to be someone else - a princess, a teacher etc.
It also
helps with the message of self-esteem as it shows them not to be limited and
that they can be whatever they want to be.
Take a look
at this good article from the Better Kid Care site.
http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/TIPS/TIPS46.pdf
it even gives some good tips for using basic household items
to help promote pretend play.
Pretend play is tea parties, dressing up etc is linked to many developmental areas such as language, problem solving and abstract thought. It's a key issue in social interaction between children.
85 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×