|
Nurturing Your
Child’s Greatest Asset
By: Veronica Scott
Imagination is one of the greatest traits human beings possess.
From creative minds come works of art and advances in technology
and science. In fact, imagination touches every aspect of our
lives whether we realize it or not. But much like other
characteristics of the human mind, imagination must be nurtured
and practiced before its full potential can be reached.
Nurturing imagination takes place early in one's life,
especially in children around the age of four or five. Can you
think back to your own childhood and remember playing “cops and
robbers” or “house?” When you took part in these pretend games
and reenactments, you were allowing your mind’s creativity to
expand and flourish.
Pretend play in children is a beneficial way to help a child
learn to expand their understanding of who they are and what
they like. It also helps them better grasp the knowledge of the
world around them. Pretend play even helps children with
communication skills, either with adults or with their own
peers.
Pretend play’s earlier stages occur in the infant and toddler
years. Babies are learning how to develop motor skills and react
to bodily sensations. Toddlers are beginning to comprehend
objects and what their functions are in the world. As time
progresses a child is able to build on these learning
experiences and expand their play. They do this by incorporating
the personal and symbolic experiences they have seen in their
short lifetime into a pretend scenario.
When children take part in pretend play, they tend to recreate
family-related themes. If a child is playing with peers, roles
are usually assigned and conflicts may be created and resolved
by the participants. Pretend play can also be a solitary
experience for the child. Instead of role playing, the child
uses miniature cars, people and houses to recreate situations of
all kinds.
Whether a child is playing with peers or alone, the scenarios
recreated often represent a child’s interpretation of the world
around them. Seeing conflicts among adults or other peers can be
incorporated into pretend play. A child may try to resolve the
conflict and produce his or her own desired outcome.
Adults play an active role in a child’s pretend play. Being
around to supervise younger children is a good idea to make sure
play time is always safe. Sometimes conflicts can arise among
children, and adults need to intervene and keep things under
control. Adults can also provide materials children can use for
pretend play, making sure they are safe and age-appropriate.
By engaging in a child’s pretend play, adults help convey to
kids how important playtime is and encourage imagination. Adults
can help give children ideas on how to expand on their pretend
play and let them explore all sorts of fun and creative
possibilities. And because play can encourage communication,
adults learn a great deal about a child just by watching or
interacting in their pretend play.
Pretend play is important for a child’s development, and there
are countless tools and toys to help children explore their own
creativity. Encourage your child to take part in pretend play
and watch imaginations take flight.
Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory
|
Wahm Choices
Faithful Grannies
Advertise In
This Section |
