Imaginative Play (Part 1)

(This post was written by Mia Hannahs, PromiseKids Director)

You have to admire a kid’s imagination.  Picture this:

• A two-year-old walks through the living room holding a wooden block to his ear. He then spends the next two minutes having a conversation with Nana on his “phone”.
• A four-year-old girl lectures her favorite teddy bear. Apparently, teddy did not clean up his room, and he cannot watch TV until he gets it done.
• A six-year-old and his friends find some moving boxes in the garage. Within the hour, those boxes are transformed into a train set.

I’m sure each of us can recall a time when we witnessed our children’s imaginative play. I remember when my son, who was probably five or so at the time, decided to mix every liquid in the bathroom he could find. By the time I walked in, his concoction was one tablespoon away from spilling onto the floor! He was very proud of his “magic potion” (consisting of shampoo, baby powder, liquid soap, shaving cream, and bath oils).  I, on the other hand, do not recall being so enthusiastic.

To the plain eye, imaginative play may seem ordinary. It’s just something kids do. But with further examination, we find that it is so much more.  Did you know that children who engage in imaginative play generally have higher IQs? It’s true! Brain research tells us that children who engage in dramatic play do better in several different areas.  In addition to intellectual benefits, they also develop these skills:

• Social and Emotional Strength- Imaginative play requires kids to share and reason with playmates. Because children mimic what they see, they will re-enact things they have experienced. This results in acting out emotions such as joy, sadness, and empathy.
• Creativity- Nothing is impossible. Your child can be anything, go anywhere, and be anybody they choose.
• Discipline- Children often practice rules during play time. When teddy is disciplined, it makes the child the adult. He or she is repeating the rules he has heard. This in turn, helps the child to understand the rules.

Imaginative play can take place anywhere- at home, at school, on the playground, and at church. Check back here next week, for ideas on encouraging your child’s imaginative play.

Category: fpKids - Birth to Preschool