Let's Pretend...

This morning:

Bug: "Elmer is playing hide and seek!" (Elmer is Boo's beloved stuffed elephant.)

Boo: "Elmer can't play games. He's not real."

Yesterday:
Boo, upon leaving Elmer in the car, "Now, Elmer, don't pee in the car while we're gone!"

Boo is 5 1/2 and starting to leave the pretend-play stage. As his parent, I can still encourage this play by providing lots of opportunities for him to use his imagination (that's why kindergarten classrooms still have dramatic play areas (kitchens, dress-up)). Our twins are not yet 4 so still in the heart of this developmental stage, where kids use their playtime to figure out how the world works by acting it out. And Baby is now in the throws of pretend cooking (he serves up bark ice cream at the park and changes pretend baby diapers).

So, to encourage this stage--

We have LOTS of costumes-- big plastic boxes of dress-up clothes, ranging from old Halloween costumes (race car drivers, fairies, ninjas- hey, use what they like!) to hand-me-down frilly dresses that we wouldn't wear. And CAPES!! We have a lot of capes and they are great because the kids come up with a million ideas for them. And if Grandpa wants to play, too, the capes fit anyone :)

We keep kid-size cooking items in a basket in the kitchen (most are from IKEA).

I love to have a toy kitchen in the backyard. They are so inventive when surrounded by nature! Plus, the older kids get more involved outside.

Pretend Play is usually physically-active, too, which is a great bonus. If you want to encourage this playtime to be more movement-oriented, add jump ropes and yoga mats into the costume box. Provide big cardboard boxes for houses/stores and put one in each room so the kids walk around more. Let your child's imagination be your guide! Kids at this age are naturally physically active (as all of us who wish for a longer nap time know well!).