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Pretend role play is a fun way for your child to expand their imagination.
Try pretending to be different people like chefs, police officers, or firefighters!
You'll find some role play inspiration in our video below.
Why is pretend role play good for my child's development?
- Pretend play helps children to expand their imagination and communicate their ideas.
- The different situations your child plays within can introduce them to new words and sentences.
- Asking your child to describe what's happening helps them to practise words for actions and describing words.
- Role play encourages children to use longer sentences.
Find out loads more reasons why imaginative play is so great for kids.
How to make the most of role playing with your child
Pretend role play can open up conversations with your child. Ask them who they'd like to be or what role they'd like you to play!
The best thing about pretend role play is that you can play anywhere and with anything! You can pretend a pot is a helmet and you're in space or that a rug is a flying carpet!
Pretend role play gives your little one the opportunity to take the lead and explore their creativity. Listening to your child while pretending can help them to communicate their thoughts and ideas.
Take part in the role-play yourself by acting out different characters and situations based on your child's ideas.
Let your child take the lead and encourage them to describe what is happening when they are pretending.
Pretend play inspiration
Your child can let their imagination run wild when it comes to pretend play, but here are some more examples of imaginary play set ups that your little one might enjoy.
- Why not pretend to be like frogs and jump around!
- Putting on a teddy bear's picnic is a fantastic way to practise role play and develop your toddler's communication.
- Let your children come up with a special 'menu' for you as they pretend to be chefs.
