There’s nothing cuter than watching two 4-year-olds playing dress-up and using their imaginations as they pretend to be grown-ups. Whether they are wearing fire fighter costumes or princess dresses, feather boas or tool belts, they are exploring the world as they have experienced or wondered about it.
It may seem like simple child’s play. But in reality, their brains are working at warp speed. Using theme-specific vocabulary, creating scenarios in which their “character” explores the possibilities of an imaginary environment, they process information they’ve received by watching their families and neighbors. Or that they’ve seen on a “screen” somewhere. Be it animated or live action. But in each case, they are using their working memory, flexible thinking and self-control. They are problem solving and practicing their communication skills. When they are pretending to be doctors or nurses or veterinarians, they are practicing empathy for their patients and becoming aware of others’ perspectives and emotions.

Developmentally, by the time they are 4, children’s imaginative play becomes more complex and detailed. They actively use their executive functioning skills to understand and maintain the boundary between make-believe and reality. The stories become more creative and incorporate imaginary objects as they play with their peers. They often guide their friends in the “right” way to play out a fantasy situation. “You say this, then I say this.”

At St. Paul’s Day School, we support dramatic play by providing a variety of toys, props and costumes that inspire those eager imaginations. We add to them and change them to keep the children from getting tired of the same old toys. We play along, sometimes becoming a patient and helping talk about the emotions of a doctor’s visit, or letting them talk out their worry about a pet who has been sick. Sometimes changing places and becoming the student while they become the teacher!

Your child will naturally want to “pretend” with their stuffed animals and toys, let them lead the play and ask interested questions to encourage them to think “outside the box”. Short periods of “make believe” can strengthen your relationship with your child, and you can model how to use objects creatively and teach social skills with toys who “act out.”

Enjoy the conversations! They will invariably help you see how quickly your child has developed their many skills!

Mrs. Ryan’s Pro Tip
Pretend play can be a great way to help your child adjust their behavior. Using two of their toys, act out a behavior that you want your child to recognize as a “thumbs down” choice. Let them tell you what the problem is and how to solve it. When they are not the ones who are “in trouble” they are much more likely to recognize the negative behavior.