When a child pretends to serve lunch, fix a toy or run a little shop, they are doing much more than passing the time.
Stories help children make sense of the world
Imaginative play gives children a safe way to copy everyday experiences, try out new language and explore different roles.
There is no one right way to play
Some children create long stories. Others repeat one favourite action. Both can be valuable. Giving children time, simple props and room to lead the story can be enough.
Try it at home
- Turn a cardboard box into a shop counter.
- Use cushions to make a pretend bus.
- Give soft toys a picnic.
- Let your child decide what happens next.
At Pop It Play, our role-play spaces are there to give those little stories somewhere to begin.