We’ve all seen a child deeply immersed in imaginative play. Maybe she is pretending to be Elsa, saving her sister from danger. Or maybe he’s imitating Spiderman, swinging around the city. Kids try on all sorts of identities while they’re engaged in imaginative play. Whether it’s a doctor diagnosing a sick dolly or an undersea diver collecting specimens from the ocean floor, children are also practicing problem-solving, teamwork, and interpersonal skills while engaged in such creative scenarios.
What Happens During Imaginative Play?
Although it may appear very intuitive, the neural connections involved in imaginative play take years to grow. During imaginative play, kids explore the boundaries of reality. When they pretend that a wooden block is an elephant, they’re animating the world around them through their imaginations. Constructing new scenarios or conjuring new objects takes an incredible amount of brainpower. It’s part of what makes humans special.
Imaginative Play Encourages Healthy Brain Development
Imaginative play is important because of the brain development it fosters. In one study, kids who engaged in imaginative play had higher executive function skills than kids who engaged in pretending less often. Executive function is the name scientists give a collection of skills that help kids delay gratification, make future plans, and show greater self-reliance when faced with obstacles. In fact, research shows that the more creative the scenario, the higher the effect on executive function. So, if your children like to imagine eating cookies with Grandma on the moon, they are helping their brains grow and develop. Kids with active fantasy lives or imaginary friends are also strengthening their identity and self-concept. It’s hard to imagine how having tea with teddies can do all that, but the most recent research proves just how essential play is to child development.
Imaginative Play Encourages Strong Social Connections
When pretend play is undertaken in groups, kids get a chance to practice social skills and show empathy. Playing house with a group of friends can entail compromise, sharing, communication, and negotiation. When a group of preschoolers teams up to save an imaginary puppy, they’re also learning about the power of teamwork, friendship, and community. These important lessons are best learned through play. Kids who engage in imaginative social play build stronger, more resilient relationships as adults. They’ll also experience a sense of belonging.
The Gardner School Encourages Imaginative Play
At The Gardner School, we prioritize play in addition to academic activities, because we know that both approaches help little ones learn. Giving children free reign to explore and experiment is an important part of helping them grow. We’re committed to providing a healthy mix of academic engagement, social interaction, free play time, and on-site enrichment activities like dance, cooking, sports, music, drama, and art.
By providing a diverse, responsive approach to learning, The Gardner School gives children the best possible chance to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. To learn why parents choose The Gardner School for their children to grow and learn, contact us to learn more or to schedule a virtual tour.