{"id":1405,"date":"2020-08-24T13:36:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-24T19:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/?p=1405"},"modified":"2020-08-24T13:36:15","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T19:36:15","slug":"how-to-play-pretend-with-your-preschooler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/how-to-play-pretend-with-your-preschooler\/","title":{"rendered":"But What If You Don\u2019t LIKE to Play Pretend With Your Preschooler?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"how<\/a><\/p>\n

Role-playing isn\u2019t just a fun thing for your child to do. It\u2019s actually a critical component of your child\u2019s development.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the most part, your kiddo can handle their role-playing on their own; after all, it\u2019s what preschoolers are designed to do!<\/span><\/p>\n

But what about the times when your child wants you to join in? What if you find role-play with your preschooler boring? Difficult? Tear-your-hair-out tedious?<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on for tips on how to role-play with your preschooler.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Role-Play Is So Important for Preschoolers<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"how<\/a><\/p>\n

But first. Why does your preschooler even <\/span>need<\/span><\/i> to role-play?<\/span><\/p>\n

Role-play boosts your child\u2019s creativity and imagination, helps them learn how to problem solve, enhances communication skills, and so much more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s pretend (See what we did there?) that your child is playing store. They\u2019ll likely act out scenes they\u2019ve witnessed firsthand (exchanging of money, for example), while also adding their own bits of creativity (They\u2019re the billionth customer, and they get to have all the candy in the store!). But then they realize that if they eat all that candy, they\u2019ll get cavities. How can they solve this problem? Well, they\u2019ll share the candy with all their friends, of course! Or they\u2019ll come up with a magic spell that protects their teeth!<\/span><\/p>\n

It may look like silly fun, but that one scenario helped your child develop in several areas. Your child \u201ctried on\u201d an adult role and practiced real-life scenarios. They brought in imagination, cooperation, and problem solving.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Role-Play with Your Preschooler<\/span><\/h2>\n

So what happens when your preschooler invites YOU in to the fantasy world? How can you play, especially if you lost your imagination when you lost your last baby tooth?<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t fret. Don\u2019t run away. This is something you can do. We promise. Read on for how.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understand the Types of Role-Play<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"how<\/a><\/p>\n

First, understand the common types of role-play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Children tend to pretend in three different ways:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Occupational: This is the type of play where your child pretends to be, or interact with, familiar occupations. Teachers, doctors, firefighters, astronauts, cashiers, etc. are some roles that children like to play. (This play encourages empathy as children \u201ctry on\u201d different roles.)\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  2. Fantasy: Think superhero, fairy princess, giant trolls, unicorns, and more. This is the big imaginary world where everything is possible. Children focus on \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cbad,\u201d often trying bravery on for size.\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  3. Real-life: What happens in your child\u2019s life? Do they go to amusement parks? Help you cook? Do they play soccer? Go to museums? In real-life play, your child will enact these real-life scenarios.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These types of role-play for preschoolers are flexible. A troll can easily stop at the store on her way home from work, and a firefighter can suddenly need to save the world from invading aliens. Children don\u2019t live within bounds when they play pretend.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Now, why is it important for you to understand these types of play?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Well, if you struggle to play pretend, you can focus on one of these types that feels most comfortable for you. For many adults, real-life or occupational play will come more naturally. You might find it less daunting to be a cashier or doctor than to be a princess hunting dragons.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Go with what you feel comfortable with.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Follow Your Child\u2019s Lead<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Playing pretend with a preschooler feels overwhelming to lots of adults, because we think we have to come up with the scenarios. After all, that\u2019s what two children will do when they play together: one pretends one thing and another adds to it, and back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\n

    But you don\u2019t have to have that pressure!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Play therapy techniques<\/span><\/a> make playing simple, while focusing on strengthening your bond with your child.<\/span><\/p>\n