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Do
you encourage your child
to pretend play?
Remember your
childhood days when you loved to pretend to be a queen, a milkmaid or a
bandit? There were times when you yearned for playing the role of a teacher
or a mother. Likewise, your child is likely to seek relief in a make-believe
world. Your daughter might enjoy being the doctor on call. Or your
son might mimic a television actor. Do not discourage such play activities.
Recent research has proved that such pretend play boosts a child's creative
imagination. It is said that when children ape the adults, they understand
responsibility better. They know how it feels in the shoes of a disciplinarian.
Watch your daughter putting her doll to sleep, and you will know how seriously
children take the pretend play. Never mock or discourage such play.
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What is the advantage
of the make-believe world?
Not
only does pretend play help a child to experiment with imaginary situations,
but also it helps him or her play with words. It is a good pastime activity
when children talk to themselves. They learn management of emotions like
fear, disappointment, anger, jealousy and possessiveness. Pretend play
gives them a chance to share, mimic, take turns, talk and boss around.
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How to enhance the
make-believe play?
You
don't need to spend a fortune to nurture a child's imagination. Just provide
for an environment in which imagination can flourish. Offer space, uninterrupted
time and props.
In the world of pretend play, a large cardboard box can be transformed
into a stove, a castle, a car, or a dozen other things. A blanket draped
over a few kitchen chairs can easily become a cozy house, a mysterious
cave or a tent in the forest. The dining table can be made into a fortress.
Puppets too provide children with an excellent avenue for their pretend
play. A young child can easily handle finger puppets.
Sometimes children use imaginative friends as their emotional counterparts.
Don't spoil the fun of such imaginary friendship. It is just an outlet
for a child's energy.
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Supply these props
Do
not embarrass your child during the pretend play. Instead provide these
props for enhancing the pretend play, especially during their pre-school
years.
Make a dollhouse - put together a plastic or steel utensil set,
small dolls, chairs, water in a saucer and some biscuits. Encourage your
son to invite a make-believe group for a tea party. Let your little girl
cook an imaginary dinner for the night.
Grocery store - paper money, paper bags, empty juice cans, cereal
boxes, some fresh vegetables and fruits.
Doctor's clinic - some bandages, a torch, a toy patient (you
can play along and become a patient whenever possible). Inexpensive doctors'
kits can be picked up from the market. In this way, your child will overcome
fear of the doctor.
Office setup - an old keyboard, play telephone, envelopes, pencil,
pen, some used paper. Your child is all set to imitate daddy and mommy
in office.
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