Caroline, age four, is running down the stairs in her house as fast as
she can. She is Cinderella, leaving the ball as fast as she can because
the clock is striking twelve.
Caroline, like so many young children, loves to enter the world of make
believe and imagine, or pretend play. From Cinderella to cowboys and
indians, the creative world of imagination has several positive effects
for both children.
"Imagining and the concept of pretend play begins in the earliest
stages of childhood, when toddlers might type at a fake computer, wash
pretend dishes, or go to the grocery store," says Rochelle Harris, PhD,
clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospitals and
Clinics. "Children use
fantasy play to reenact life as they see it and to mimic adult actions."
Between the ages of three and six, children may begin to engage in
imaginative play together, and create vivid scenarios using their
relatively new verbal skills. Kids will assume all sorts of magical
identities and roles at this stage, from action heroes to kings and
queens.
"It doesn’t just stimulate a child’s creative imagination," says Dr.
Harrs. "Pretend play can help a child understand important events in
his or her life."
Pretend play can help a child feel in control of his own world. In
real life, parents decide when a child should eat, bathe and go to bed.
A child who engages in pretend play is the master of his own destiny,
whether he’s an action hero or a cowboy. Children make their own
decisions when they pretend.
Pretend play can prepare children for real-life changes such as a new
baby or moving. It helps children learn to master these changes through
pretend play, where he can gain confidence to tackle the event in real
life.
Imaginary friends, another aspect of pretend play, can serve a variety
of purposes. These invisible pals provide a source of comfort and
companionship when a new sibling is born or a real friend moves away.
"Imaginary friends are usually harmless," says Dr. Harris. "However,
parents must reiterate the difference between fantasy and reality if a
problem arises that involves a child’s imaginative life."
This includes when children blame something they did on the invisible
friend, or when the invisible friend takes up too much time and gets in
the way of real friendships.
Some parents may become concerned when children become scared of
imaginative creatures or when they begin telling imaginative stories,
or tall tales.
"Children should work through imaginary creatures and tall tales on
their own," says Dr. Harris. "When children get older, they can
distinguish between fantasy and reality better. They no longer need to
pretend play in order to feel important or secure."
Until that time, you can enjoy and nurture your child’s imaginative
play. Here are some ideas of ways you can stimulate your child’s
imagination:
- Buy toys that enhance creativity, such as building blocks, puppets,
and dolls.
- Create a dress-up box filled with old hats, jewelry, and clothing
for your child.
- Put together some imaginative play lists for your child. For
example, an "explorers kit" can include a magnifying glass, a
flashlight, and old maps. An "artist’s kit" can include marking pens,
colored paper, masking tape, and crayons.
- Mark off one corner in your home for your child as a "creative
corner." If your child builds a cardboard fortress in the family room,
for example, let it stand for as long as possible.
- Read to your child. Books can provide the people, places, and
things that inspire imagination.
- Don’t attempt to control imaginative play. Parents often make
demands on their child, telling them to drink their milk, wash their
hands, get dressed, etc. When kids engage in imaginative play, it’s
their turn to be in charge.
"This is a time when children’s thoughts are so creative," says Dr.
Harris. "Parents should try to recognize the value that pretend play
offers to children."
