Imaginative, Dramatic, Pretend Play

"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Albert Einstein

A powerful statement by one of the world's greatest thinkers

Where would you be without it? How much less magical would childhood be without it. Children display the beginnings of imaginative play as toddlers and as it develops and grows, they discover ways of playing that could never happen without it.

They can "Play - Practice" all manner of skills - physical and otherwise, and gradually gain competence, co-ordination and confidence.

They can "Play - Experience" a limitless range of happenings and feelings that they could never experience in real life and gain understandings that could not be reached any other way.

They can "Play - Out" frustration and anger and learn to handle feelings that could otherwise overwhelm them.

They can "Play - Through " problems and anxieties and learn to deal with situations that could be too hard in real life.

They can "Play - Think" at their own pace about patterns and picture making, fitting and construction, matching games and puzzles, in ways that are satisfying and rewarding, rather than adding to possible feelings of inadequacy - because "I can do it"

They can "Play - Relate" to other children and even some adults in ways that are non - threatening, just because both sides know it is not "really real".

The great thing about imaginative play - The child is 'in charge' of it

They can change it at will, alter it to suit the situation, finish it whenever they wish - they 'Own' the play and they can use it to meet their inner needs, while at the same time learning to play co-operatively with others.

" Let's pretend" opens magic doors