5 Benefits of Pretend Play #Giveaway

I am always looking for ways to get my kids to use their imaginations. Whether it be playing with their toys, reading a book during quiet times, or letting them build forts in my home I encourage them to unplug from the electronics and play pretend.

When we were kids, My sister, cousin and I would spend hours dressing up our Barbies and having adventures in our neighbourhood. The reason we bought this house is because we have a wonderful yard for the kids to play in and I have a great view of it from my kitchen.

So while I prep dinner I watch my 3 oldest kids play in the back yard. Whether they are building magical cities in the sandbox, exploring lost ruins behind our shed, or frolicking like fairies over the sprinkler I know that they are doing more then just playing, they are thriving.

5 Benefits of Pretend Play*

1. Social and Emotional Skills–Dress up allows for experimenting with the social and emotional roles of life. Through cooperative play, children learn societal rules such as how to take turns, share responsibility, and creatively problem-solve. Character play means that the child is “walking in someone else’s shoes” and it encourages teamwork along with an interest in peers. The child also learns to negotiate which helps teach the important moral development skill of empathy. Since children see the world from their own point of view, cooperative play helps them understand the feelings of others.
2. Language Skills–When children engage in pretend play, you will hear words and phrases you never thought they knew. Pretend play requires children to invent and tell stories and since almost all children narrate their pretend play experiences, they train their minds to transform ideas into words. Children usually mimic words and ideas from parents, teachers, daycare or what they hear on TV. This repetition builds vocabulary and helps kids visualize what they say, especially when adults offer feedback to help kids better understand the words they use. This also helps with grammar – they may not know the rules but they are training themselves to speak like adults. This also helps make the connection between spoken and written language — a skill that will later help them to read.
3. Self-Control–Young kids typically have little self-control. During pretend play, children have to take a role and play within those boundaries, especially when other kids are involved. Studies show that children control their impulses significantly better during pretend play than at other times. Did you ever wonder why parents often make up a game to get their children to eat their vegetables or finish chores? Transforming an unappealing task into a make-believe game is a popular trick among clever parents and educators.
4. Problem Solving Skills–Pretend play also provides your child with a variety of problems to solve. Whether it’s the logistics of sharing toys or a pretend problem the children are escaping from, the child calls upon important cognitive thinking skills that he or she will use in every aspect of his or her life, now and forever. Role playing games lead children to face situations that far exceed kids’ real-life experiences. Children work out confusing, scary, or new life issues. Through these role plays, children become more comfortable and prepared for life events in a safe way. Children often use pretend play to work out more personal challenging life events too, whether it is coping with an illness in the family, the absence of a parent or divorce, or a house fire. Although kids may not always act logically during tough pretend dilemmas, the very process of problem solving becomes habitual. By practicing problem solving in an artificial environment, kids are better prepared to think of creative solutions to their own real-life problems
5. Self-esteem By giving your child complete control in their pretend world and accepting them as a silly character, you are enhancing their self-esteem. While they use their own initiative to develop story lines, their creative imagination to expand stories and their own personality to choose a character they enjoy, you are enhancing their self-esteem by allowing them complete power in the world & enjoying it with them. Take for example superheroes. Considering the thrill children get out of pretending to be a grown-up, it’s no wonder that they’re also crazy about mimicking the most powerful version of adults: superheroes. Pretending to be Batman or Wonder Woman allows a toddler to feel brave and invincible, which helps them develop self-confidence. Similarly, all that running and leaping keeps them active and builds strength, balance, and coordination

Accessorizing Their Imaginations

We try to always have costumes on hand for the kids. When we are out and about we will pick up a crown, pirate sword or tea set to foster their pretend play. I keep all of their old Halloween costumes as well which means we have a crazy selection going on. We were very excited when our package arrived from Great Pretenders with a boa, princess set and a reversible Batman/Spiderman head piece. So while I was busy getting dinner ready I let the kids go outside and play.

So while Batman was saving our backyard from the evil fairy, my little princess was sitting and enjoying a tea party with her friends. These are the most innocent and beautiful times and they also allow me a few minutes to get dinner on the table 😉

Who Are Great Pretenders?

Great Pretenders started of like many children’s businesses, with a  mom noticing a lack of something that was necessary. Now over 25 years later with 25 awards under their belt it is safe to say that they are at to top of their game. With amazing costumes and accessories that really grow with your child, all at a reasonable price, you can only imagine the great play that will come out when these are in use.

Giveaway

The wonderful team at Great Pretenders want all kids to engage in pretend play so they have graciously offered one of my readers an opportunity to win a colour costume of their choice. These are costumes that your child can colour with 8 included markers and best part is they can go in the wash! There are BOY and GIRL versions so make sure you check out which one you want. Good Luck!

Great Pretenders Colour Costume Giveaway

*5 Benefits Of Pretend Play was received from Great Pretenders 🙂

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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