• Develop Imagination

Children spend most of their lives playing by somebody else's rules. By using their imagination they can inhabit a world where they have control. This is fantastic for building confidence, working through difficult situations in a safe environment (e.g. bullying) and developing a sense of self. Imaginative play helps children to work out the world around them which is extremely important and should be actively encouraged!

What do we mean?

• Pretending to be a wild animal, a superhero or mum and dad!
• Dressing up / role play - have a box of dressing up clothes to delve into
• A teddy bear's picnic
• Drawing and painting and telling you a story to go with it
• Using toys to act out stories in their heads

It is great if adults get involved with this too! However, do remember to let the child dictate the play - it is one of the few times you have to do what they say and not the other way around!