|
Every now and then, little Ayesha picks up her favourite doll and begins talking to her. The doll is called Radha, she goes to school and doubles up as Ayesha's sister and doctor.
Most children like to indulge in pretend play and will often surprise you with the labrynth of imaginative elements they use to play. Most parents wonder where all this information to feed the kid's imagination came from.
What you don't realise is that the kid is like a sponge. He retains all his experiences -- even those that happened when he was very small and you thought he did not understand much -- in little pockets in his brain, which is then used later in play.
Preschoolers who spend more time in imaginative play are more advanced not only in their intellectual development but also have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
Rethinking time
If your child spends most of his time moving from class to class -- dance, tabla, guitar and academic preschool -- and you think this schedule will provide the best brain-enriching experience, you might pause to reconsider.
Instead, or in addition, try supporting your child's imaginative play by offering space, uninterrupted time and props to enhance play.
Adults who are skeptical about play, which looks like a mere pastime, need to do a rethink on the subject. it is one of the most stimulating experiences for children. For, it is important for him to pretend in order to comprehend. This is one of the best ways for him to learn about the world.
Watch your child carefully to understand the learning process: When siblings re-enact a trip to your office, they work together remembering what they experienced, thus building on their memory. In play, they practice and use new vocabulary. Words, which don't apply to a child's real-life situations, might otherwise not come up for use.
Other Benefits of Imaginative Play
Social ability: Your child's social skills -- sharing, turn taking, conversing -- improve as he works out the intricacies of a play theme with friends or siblings. He also shows definite social skills when playing. Set up a small party and notice how considerate he becomes in this play scene. His interaction with others last longer, are more complex, involved and he is a lot more cooperative.
|
