This week, we have been writing a fair bit on the blog about play, so I thought I would pull this all together to do the Parenting Tips Linky on this very topic – let’s cover pretend play shall we?
So this month, we are focusing on posts and resources that give us advice on encouraging imaginative and pretend play in our kids; anything from den building, to co-operative play, to getting the kids all dressed up and playing doctors and nurses. You name it, and we will probably be covering it! If you do love photographing your kids playing, do look at our monthly giveaway on KiddyCHarts too, where you can win a wonderful Snuggle Sac if you share your play photos with us. More details are in the KiddyPlay blog post.
My children have loved to play imaginative for as long as I can remember, and as long as I am able to stand the constant cups of tea, and the wish from my daughter for me to play at shopkeeper yet again, we have loved doing so. In a child’s had, a stick can become many a wonderful play prop.
We have always thought along these line personally for encouraging your kids to pretend play and use that imagination as best they can:
- Take a step back and let them lead
- Go with the flow
- Don’t expect them to conform, and don’t be surprised if a spoon becomes a magic wand in a child’s hands, or the dog is asked to become a dragon!
- Try not to worry about the mess, we can sort that out later *honest*
- Be patient and have fun!
If we like what you share, we will pop on our parenting tips board, which has nearly 30,000 followers, as do I on Pinterest *how did that happen*
If you link up a post – displaying the badge for the linky would be great to, if you get a second:
Without further ado – let’s play!
Photo credit: Stuart Miles / freedigitalphotos.net
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!