Tips on Encouraging Imaginative Play

The experts at CDI emphasize that pretend play, carried out alone or together with other children, is a spontaneous, self-directed activity. The availability of inexpensive materials like blocks, clay, paints, cast-off clothing, household utensils and simple toys provide children opportunities to develop themes for their imaginative play. “Children need to be given the time, the space, the encouragement for play—they need to know that their play is valuable and important,” comments Jan Drucker, member of the Sarah Lawrence College psychology faculty.

Here are some ways for parents, teachers and caregivers to support and encourage children’s play:

• Look and listen when your child is pretending. You will see how your child uses objects and actions to communicate and clarify his or her ideas.
• Provide many different kinds of materials for children to use in pretending: found objects, pieces of cloth, dolls, blocks, small figures, vehicles.
• Provide unscheduled time for your child to play alone and with other children.
• Remember: Imaginative play can take place anywhere—at home or outdoors in a yard or playground.
• Let your child take the lead when you play together.
• Provide opportunities for collaborative pretend play with other children—brothers and sisters, neighbors, friends.
• Value the time you spend reading and telling stories, as well as listening to your child's stories.
• Let your child know that you understand the value of play, that play is important.
• Trust your child's ideas and enjoy his or her imagination.