There are only 3 things you need to create a platform for imaginary play. The platform is imaginary so work with me here.
- Any amount of time
- Any environment
- Any subject
Playing with children is one thing. Children playing with you is another. Children know when you are really actually having fun or if they are being patronized. I have seen children patronized by many well meaning adults. Basically when this happens, it is an adult playing with a child, not a child playing with an adult. When I observe this, I call it ‘dressed up parallel play.’ When a child is engaged in play with you it is much different then parallel play. What is parallel play? It is exactly what it sounds like. There is play happening, but it is simply happening along side of others at play. When you are playing together, a dialogue is taking place and conversation is happening at the pace of a regular conversation. This is a platform for imaginary play to thrive.
Now get out there and pretend to be mermaids or mermen or whatever the child/children like to pretend play and have fun!
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