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