- Give kids lots of open-ended toys. Clay, trucks, dolls, and building materials such as Legos, Tinkertoys, and blocks encourage creative thinking and play.
- When purchasing a toy, consider how many play possibilities the toy will provide. Try to avoid toys that stifle imaginative play and those with an overabundance of pre-made accessories.
- Provide a sandbox, swing set, or climbing gym and plenty of wheeled toys.
- Limit TV and video game playing. Encourage drawing, playing outside, reading, writing, or hobbies.
- Have plenty of art and writing materials on hand. Let your kids experiment with cooking and crafts.
- Display your child's artwork and writings at home.
- Provide places for imaginary play. Tents, forts, cardboard boxes, and a table with a blanket thrown over become places where kids can make-believe.
- Build a train layout or dollhouse with your child. Encourage them to use creative materials for their project instead of store-bought accessories.
- Play "What If ..." with your children. Ask inspiring questions like "What would it be like to be a butterfly?" or "What kind of city would you set up on the moon?"
- Give your children plenty of opportunity for play by limiting structured activities that take away from free-play time.
- Talk to your child's teacher about letting kids bring simple toys from home to share and explore in a social setting. Suggest fund-raisers to upgrade outdated playground equipment.
- Never tease or ignore your preschooler's imaginary friend. Imaginary friends are an important part of the developmental growing process of many children.
- Understand the difference between action play and violent play. Action play is dynamic, energetic, highly imaginative play where toy guns and superheroes are often involved. Violent play is the willful destruction of property or hurting of others.
- Be certain your day-care provider is stimulating your children's imagination with art projects, stories, and play experiences.
- Explore nature with your child. Grow plants, watch insects, feed birds, take hikes in the forest. Talk about what you see and bring a bag along on walks to collect "treasures." Let your child create artwork using leaves, acorns, pinecones, or other plant items. Unstructured play is vitally important to good development. Help your children learn the magic of imagination and you'll see its influence in all the facets of their lives.
Taken from: HOW IMPORTANT IS IMAGINARY PLAY? Playing "Let's Pretend" by Donna Stringfellow, who specializes in parenting and children's articles. Source: www.family.go.com
