Fantasy play is very important

_Elsa_

It really seems to be bothering Elsa that she lost that magic. Time to go back on Google! Aha, this article catches her eye - The importance of fantasy play in child development.

‘When you have a good imagination, you are never alone! You can be transported to a world of make-believe where none of your worries exist.

Young children begin pretend-play from around 18 months and this develops into more refined role play, real or fictional at about three years old (German & Leslie, 2001). However, by around 6 years, most children have still not fully grasped the difference between knowing something and believing it. Thus, early childhood educators are working with children who are learning to distinguish between fantasy and reality, pretend and real.

After approximately seven years Kitson (2010) suggests that if fantasy play is not actively encouraged it slowly diminishes. One way that we can keep the magic of fantasy play alive is through pretence and superhero play. These themes continue to engage older children, teenagers and adults as demonstrated by the amount of media attention dedicated to superheroes. Pretence is the ability to play with an object as if it were something else, or take on a role as another person. There are considerable overlaps with fantasy play, which is linked with the improbable and impossible, however, pretending can be more closely linked to reality. Children rarely distinguish between the two and we need to learn not to as well!

There are many noted benefits for children engaging in this type of fantasy and make-believe play. It:

• Encourages imagination and creativity.

• Builds children’s confidence as they experience the freedom to ‘be’ whomever or whatever they want to be.

• Enables children to deal with real life scenarios in a safe environment.

• Provides an opportunity for children to play games involving social rules, cooperation and collaboration.

• Encourages children to empathise with others.

• Offers children a place to escape from the real world.

• Usually involves a narrative and acts as a type of therapy as children talk through scenarios and possibilities.

• Helps children to deal with changes in their lives.

• Allows children an element of control in their lives – e.g. they can put toppings on a pizza that their parent wouldn’t normally allow!

• Improves children’s language and communication skills and is a great opportunity for extending children’s vocabulary.

• Provides an opportunity for children to negotiate roles and understand rules and boundaries.

• Allows children to problem solve and resolve conflicts themselves.

• Can counter stereotypes and discrimination as boys can play at being a mummy and girls at being superman.

• Offers opportunities for children to explore different emotions and practice emotional control and self-regulation.

• Nurtures children’s dispositions such as resilience, perseverance and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

• Develops children’s cognitive skills and provides opportunities for literacy and numeracy.

• Enhances children’s understanding of the world and how things work.

• Allows children to practise fine and gross motor skills.

As educators we are always looking for the purposes in play – we should value this play intrinsically!’ (Source) 

Wow! That was a very insightful article! Elsa continues searching for more ideas.  

Let’s continue -  The Role of Make Believe Play in Adult Life

Start at the beginning – A story about childhood imagination and make believe