| native play is an important part of childhood. Not only is | | | | free, unstructured play that allows the opportunity for |
| it fun for children but it is also an essential part of | | | | imaginative play. It is not desirable that every moment |
| learning and developing. Children learn about | | | | of every day be structured and planned. Children who |
| themselves, about their world, and lay the groundwork | | | | are not given the opportunity to exercise their |
| for their future through imaginative play. Yet too many | | | | imagination run the risk of losing the ability to use it at |
| children are not encouraged to use their imagination | | | | all. |
| through play. There are three essential ways you can | | | | Does your child have the supplies for imaginative play? |
| encourage imaginative play in your child -- by providing | | | | As we know from our own childhood that imaginative |
| the place, the time, and the supplies. | | | | play does not require extensive and elaborate supplies, |
| Does your child have a place for imaginative play? Is | | | | but children do need access to objects they can use. |
| there somewhere, even the corner of a room, where | | | | A complex wardrobe is not necessary but a few |
| they can build a block city or shape play dough | | | | items can be helpful. A bath towel might be a king's |
| monsters? Can they assemble all their stuffed animals | | | | robe or a super hero's cape or swaddling for a baby. |
| into a school or all their cars into a parade? While | | | | A cardboard tube from wrapping paper might be a |
| children should be encouraged to pick up after | | | | sword, the container for a secret map, or a spyglass. |
| themselves sometimes it takes a while to build the city | | | | A cardboard box might be everything from a treasure |
| of their dreams and they want time to play with it | | | | chest to a race car. Provide a few basic supplies and |
| again. Try to strike a balance between your need for | | | | try not to be too suggestive in their use. Children will do |
| order and their need for imaginative play. Give them a | | | | better if allowed to give their imagination free rein |
| day or so to create a complex setting for their | | | | without your interference and control. |
| imaginative play before forcing them to put away their | | | | Imaginative play can be a wonderful opportunity for |
| toys. | | | | your child to not only enjoy their childhood but also to |
| Does your child have the time for imaginative play? It is | | | | learn and grow as people by trying on different roles |
| amazing how many young children have a very full | | | | such as parents, cooks, police officers, and firefighters |
| schedule. While many of these activities are likely | | | | but also to experience safe adventures as pirates, |
| required, such as school or day care, and many are | | | | explorers and paleontologists. Imaginative play should |
| also desirable, such as sports or clubs, it is also | | | | be encouraged in children by allowing them the place, |
| important that children be given the opportunity for | | | | the time, and the supplies for imaginative play. |