Pretend play with kids is a vital contributor to your child’s development and is a part of how your child learns about our adult world. Imagination usually develops around two years of age, helping create a range of skills.
• Imagination and creativity – children can be anyone and do anything in their pretend world.
• Social skills – turn taking, negotiation, compromising and sharing with others.
• Communication and language skills – listening and talking with other people and developing an understanding of what is being communicated through non-verbal cues such as looking, smiling, nodding and waving.
• Emotional development – understanding and expressing feelings through their play.
What games can help improve pretend play skills?
• Tea sets – taking turns, sharing cakes and cups.
• Doll houses – role play your daily routines such as bathing and dinner time.
• Shopping trolley and cash registers – practice shopping and taking turns at being shopkeeper.
• Dress ups – princess, dragons, robots, dinosaurs, policeman and nurses.
• Phone – use a phone and call for a pizza or a doctor.
• Cubby houses – play house together.
