The importance of pretend play in children

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Article by Master of Psychology Tran Ngoc Ly - Center for Regenerative Medicine, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

1. Stages of pretend play in children

1.1 Pretend play at 18-24 months Pretend play can begin to appear as early as 18-24 months, which is an early stage of pretend play. At this time, observing and repeating adult behavior is a natural instinct, children tend to imitate adult behaviors to explore objects and explore their surroundings. Many children begin to notice and imitate the actions of people around them - especially adults in the family, which manifest in some actions such as: listening and making phone calls, feeding parents, sweeping the house, etc. combing their own hair and for others, knowing how to distinguish toy cakes and bringing them close to their mouths and pretending to chew, drinking water without water...This stage appears simple pretend play with Children, in particular, play by themselves with simple pretend actions associated with familiar activities in life such as pretending to eat, pretending to sleep, pretending to talk on the phone alone... Gradually, children As adults, cognitive enhancement, social skills expand, the imitation of behaviors is more sophisticated. At first, it is just a small act with objects, then it becomes a long sequence of 2 -3 -4 activities.
1.2 Pretend play in 2-3 year olds From 2 to 3 years old, children can extend simple pretend play with other people or dolls: Pretend to feed parents or dolls, dress up dolls dolls, putting dolls to sleep... By the age of 3, children's ability to pretend play is enhanced. This stage is called late pretend play and substitute objects. Children not only repeat behaviors with objects, but also begin to imagine objects as substitutes for real things. For example, children know how to use a controller as a communication phone, use a water bottle or roll of paper as a microphone and sing like a singer, stack paper to make a birthday cake... Then the child may not need the object. you can imagine a game and enjoy it. Like using your hand as a gesture to answer the phone, or talk to someone yourself. Children can take the folding chairs together to form a bus and swing on it... At this stage, the child's imagination is better, the child can pretend this is that, as well as attach the objects. properties with an object that it has to make the game more attractive.
1.3 Pretend play in 4-5 year olds Gradually, in 4-5 year olds, pretend play gets more complicated – children move into role play. Children know how to build different situations and create sequences of activities with storylines. This is done through imitating characters that children come into contact with every day, closest to topics such as cooking, family themes, school themes and playing with dolls and teddy bears. While these themes are more diverse and complex, consisting of two characters that interact with each other, there is a role play between the characters when playing with each other. Playgroups can consist of children playing together, or children role-playing with adults in the home. At this stage of play, children can create a variety of situations that they see. In particular, role-playing sessions not only involve actions with objects, but children also integrate communication language to make the game more interesting. It may be playing pretend alone, telling stories and talking to the doll, or children will interact with each other to push the story along its own pace. From there, children will learn from their peers how to solve problems, how to communicate and behave that they have not experienced.
This age of development of the ability to play role-playing - this society starts from the age of 3, to 4-5 years old is the maximum development of children's imagination. When children engage in role-playing games like this, they are not only reflecting the environment in which they are exposed, for example if a parent scolds the child - the child will do the same if the child is " parents", or the child will re-enact scenes of family meals and outings with playmates. At this stage, the ability to pretend play is dominant, children can connect a sequence of pretend actions to tell a story: Children connect several pretend actions together or tell a long story about toys such as putting the doll in the car and pushing the car to the store.

Watch now: The role of adults in children's play

2. Meaning of pretend play in children

Through pretend play, children have the opportunity to expand their language, awareness, develop creativity and abstract thinking, as well as help them have more opportunities to interact and integrate with you. raft. Because in order to simulate activities, to adapt stories from reality into games, to compose new stories, children need certain cognitive and linguistic capital.
Another problem that can become apparent when children play pretend - is expressing a desire or desire to achieve things that the child does not have. For example: a child is constantly scolded by his parents and forced to give up his younger brother, he may show his hatred for his younger brother, wish that his brother does not exist in the world... Or the child can imagine it himself. realize they are going out – describe things they see in movies or are told by others – even though they have never experienced it in real life. This is a way for children to project themselves, to express their desires and desires.
When observing children's pretend play, adults will learn:
Family life through the child's perspective Children's desires Child's personality, how children solve problems Relationships of children with playmates Timely detection of mistakes children encounter (for example, about words that children use during play, difficulties children face when dealing with situations during play) At the same time, adults They will also realize what aspects they need to change or improve to suit the child, paying more attention to the wishes and problems the child is facing.
Children often play pretend, and force people to play with them. Is that bad? It is a wonderful ability of children. Through pretend play, children have the opportunity to interact with others, especially peers. Children will learn more about the behavior of other families. Children will have the opportunity to express their thoughts through every word, every action. In particular, when playing pretend, each child will be re-enacted situations / plots in a different direction, the participating children need to know the agreement to make the story unfold as they wish. At the same time, when conflicts arise, children will need to find ways to resolve and continue their story. As such, having children pretend play together is a developmental ability that should be encouraged more. If children can play many different roles (different characters in the family, different jobs in society, etc.), they will learn even more experiences.

3. Pretend play in children - how should parents be involved?

To help children have more meaningful pretend play activities, parents can refer to some of the following activities:
Respond when children invite their parents to play with them, even though the older they are, about 5 years old, the child There will be more creative thoughts that adults are afraid to role-play with children. Introduce children to different situations and ways of dealing with problems, so they have more information to include in their play. For example: When watching a child play, parents see that the child and you have a conflict, then after the game is over, the parent can talk more with the child, provide the child with ways to compromise with you, or the parents. also do it even when the whole family plays pretend together. Let the child experience many real-life situations, such as: daily activities (shopping clothes, going to the supermarket to buy food for the family, arranging household items...), or picnic activities (going to amusement parks, visiting eco-tourism sites)... both to increase children's knowledge about the world around them, and to expand situations for children to apply in mock games his pretend. Share, explain to children the things that parents do in life, so that children know the thoughts and opinions of others, children will consider and apply them when playing... Observe, listen when children pretend play and then comment and share about the right / wrong behaviors of children during play. With modern equipment along with a team of experienced and dedicated experts, doctors, medical staff, Regenerative Medicine Clinic and educational psychology, Center for Regenerative Medicine, National General Hospital Vinmec Times City cell offers customers the best service experience with the following services:
Screening, consulting, stem cell transplant for treatment of autism, cerebral palsy, cirrhosis, round muscle disorder due to hernia meningitis, spinal cord injury, sequelae of encephalitis, brain damage due to drowning... Pediatric examination and rehabilitation Pediatric psychological examination and psychological intervention for children

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