Children are born with a wild
imagination and ability to play make-believe. They can take simple objects
around the house and yard and transform them into just about anything they can
dream up. Pots and pans become a drum set, furniture can become rocks in a sea
of lava, and rugs have magical powers to fly them to anywhere in the world. As your child learns to
control their environment, a game of make believe is a way to expand their
surroundings in a safe way. You may frown on their game that involves jumping
from the furniture into an imaginary pool of water or their ability to jump
from the top of the porch steps onto the grass below but to your child, these
are a way to experiment both physically and mentally in a relatively safe way. Make-believe can also take
the form of inventing stories or scenarios. Your child can describe fantastical
situations that would never happen in real life - fights with dragons, playdates
with princes and princesses, walking on the moon and so much more.
Does
Playing Make-Believe Help Your Child Academically?
You might think that rough
and tumble games or pretending a large box is a boat floating around your
living room are just for fun, but they offer so much more than that. Your child
learns through play and exploration. Make-believe games give them the
opportunity to develop hand and eye coordination, dexterity, depth of vision,
balance, etc. It also stimulates their mind and emotions.
Using
Play to Encourage a Love of Learning
You never have to ask your
child if they would like to play. It is something that comes naturally to them.
They learn as they play. The more they practice the better they get. The
Montessori Method capitalizes on this. Each child grasps concepts at a different
speed. Some things come easily, others take longer. By encouraging children to
explore the world around them and asking them questions, rather than telling
them the answer, they will learn intuitively. Encouraging free thinking and
allowing your child to explore and dream gives them the freedom to push the
boundaries to escape into a world where anything is possible. It fosters
self-confidence and a higher level of independence.
If you would like to learn
more about the Montessori Method and how we nurture your child's inquisitive
nature through play and exploration, contact the Mission Valley Montessori today to take a tour of our school.
