Dramatic play and pretend play are important activities in early childhood and both help to do more than merely spark imagination.
In a recent series of resources, the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) discusses how dramatic play helps children to build language and social-emotional and problem-solving skills while making learning joyful.
Similarly, pretend play helps young children to process emotions, build resilience and social skills, and support positive mental health while encouraging creativity and imagination. When children take part in story dramatization and pretend play, they gain skills in self-regulation, executive functioning, and literacy skills.
The IECMHC provides tips on how teachers should support and encourage pretend and dramatic play – such as using open-ended questions that encourage children to develop, expand, and share their play ideas and stories – as well as utilize prop boxes, culturally responsive themes, and seasonal ideas to spark imagination and learning.
The resources include:
- Dramatic Play in Early Childhood: Benefits, Types, and Creative Ideas for Educators
- Pretend Play is a Magic Part of Childhood: New Research Suggests It Can Also Help Mental Health
- Pretend Play
- Intentionally Building Self-Regulation and Literacy Skills: The Power of Dramatization in Kindergarten
- Teacher Tips: Supporting Pretend Play
- 10 Toddler and Preschool Dramatic Play Area Ideas
- Dramatic Play: Let’s Think Beyond the Housekeeping Corner
- The Ultimate List of Props for Dramatic Play Centers
- Dramatic Play Storage Tips
