Power of pretending and how parents can encourage it

By Casey Russell

There is a reason kids’ costumes and dress up clothes are sold year-round. It’s the same reason play kitchens, doctors’ kits, dolls, action figures and role-playing games abound in toy aisles. Kids like to pretend. But, is pretending just a fun, silly way for kids to pass the time? Or is there more to this ubiquitous childhood activity?

Studies have repeatedly shown that imaginative play promotes brain development and social skills in numerous ways. Kids’ brains become very active while pretending — priming them for learning. Pathways and connections in the brain are created while kids play.

Problem solving

Pretending helps kids practice solving problems — either in the situations they are dramatizing or in figuring out how to work with fellow pretenders. Pretending with others necessitates practicing working together. One cannot do everything exactly his or her own way. There is a give-and-take of ideas and preferences. Doing this through play gets children ready to do it in life.

Social interaction

Imaginative play done with others gives kids practice reading social cues, interpreting body language and reading facial expressions. But empathy has also been shown to develop as kids pretend on their own. Imagining himself as a particular character or being multiple dolls gives a child practice stepping into the shoes of another. He sees things from a different perspective and begins to share and understand the feelings of another.

Pretending also helps kids make sense of the world around them. As they role-

E.S.L.A.

By Isabel Viola 12th Grade

The Flower Ceremony is ESLA’s way of recognizing members of the community who have stood out and upheld the virtues of our school — generosity, integrity, curiosity, courage and sincerity. This past week, our monthly tradition returned and our peers were acknowledged for their virtuous actions. It is always a beautiful moment shared in our community where we show gratitude and respect for our fellow students.

Another ESLA tradition was

Tips on Parenting

by Casey Russell

play, children learn about their likes and dislikes. In being another character or in playing with a doll or stuffed animal, feelings and ideas can be expressed safely. This is one reason pretend play is often used in child psychotherapy.

Coping

Imaginative play can help a child feel more comfortable with something that might seem a bit scary. Going to the doctor or dentist can seem frightening to a child. Getting on an airplane or staying at Grandma’s house without her accustomed caregivers for the first time can seem daunting. Seeing a loved one dealing with an illness can make some kids feel unsure or anxious. Pretending about things like this helps kids work through emotions and become more able to get through life’s tough situations.

Learning

Another great aspect of pretending is that kids use a lot of skills they might avoid if we actually asked them to sit down and do them. In playing teacher, a child uses writing, organization and planning, and she practices a lot of the things she’s recently learned in school. In making a grocery store, children practice the exchange of money, how waiting in line works and social interactions, and some children practice sorting likeitems.

Verbal skills tend to be enhanced when children pretend, too. Caregivers may hear words their child would held this week in the form of a game with red versus white competitions. Every member of ESLA is placed on either the red or white team (the school colors) and throughout the school year, the teams compete against each other until a winner is announced during our culminating feast. not otherwise utter when she tries them out as her character. And in playing the role of a hero, a mother, an astronaut, a pilot, a firefighter or a doctor, she sees herself in this role. This opens her eyes to seeing not only what is, but also what is possible.

Spirit week is coming up and is another opportunity to earn red and white points! Our daily themes range from monochromatic to dress-like-a-teacher.

In other news, ESLA’s very own environmental club is planning an upcoming clothing swap. Not only is this a great way to promote environmentally friendly alternatives to fast fashion, it will also be an awesome opportunity to bring students across different grades together.

Fostering imaginative play

There are so many good things that come from children having opportunities to pretend. We can encourage imaginative play by providing things like: costumes and props; Play-Doh; blocks; puppets; dolls; stuffed animals; empty cardboard boxes and tubes; fort-building materials; play food or tea sets and clean, empty food boxes, toy vehicles; doctors’ kits; and art supplies. Materials don’t have to cost a lot, but having them accessible will entice kids to dive in and play.

Having materials to pretend with can inspire imaginative play, but kids also need the time to engage in these activities. So remember to build unscheduled, screen-free time into your child’s days. It may be one of the best things you can do for her or him. For more parenting tips, check out my book, “The Handbook for Life With Little Ones: Information, ideas and tips for birth to age five,” on Amazon.