Imaginative play, also known as pretend play or make-believe, is a loosely structured form of play that generally includes role-play, object substitution, and nonliteral behavior. It is a type of play where children use their imagination to role-play scenarios they have seen, experienced, or would like to experience. Imaginative play is important for young children, as it not only builds character but also helps adults. Children who have better pretense and fantasy abilities also show better social competence, cognitive capabilities, and an ability to take the perspective of others.
For the activity to be referred to as pretend play, the individual must be intentionally diverting from reality. The individual must be aware of the contrast between the real situation and the make-believe situation. Imaginative play is universal, in that it appears in many or all cultures. However, some cultures tend to disapprove of it and believe that it is a form of communication with spirits or devils. These different views tend to impact the amount of time dedicated to pretend play and the themes that children interact with.
There are several benefits that imaginative play contributes to a child’s development. Some of these benefits include:
- Social development: Imaginative play helps children develop social skills such as cooperation, sharing, and communication.
- Cognitive development: Imaginative play helps children develop cognitive skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity.
- Emotional development: Imaginative play helps children develop emotional skills such as empathy, self-regulation, and emotional expression.
To encourage imaginative play, parents should provide plenty of props, play partners (both similar-aged peers as well as adults), and give plenty of playtimes – let your child have as much time as possible to explore where the play takes them. Examples of imaginative play can include pretending to cook, clean, save the world, beat bad guys, host exceptionally dignified dinner parties, become the mayors of cities, slay dragons, and extinguish fires.
