Do you have a kid who loves imaginary play? Troy has been using imaginary play with trains, superheroes or his stuffed animals lately. Today’s activity was inspired by something I pinned on Pinterest, but modified for our little stuffed animals. We created a Christmas imagination box. Here’s what you’ll need:
*a large box
*Christmas wrapping paper
*bows
*tape
*Christmas lights
To start, we took the box and taped down the open side. Then we I wrapped it with wrapping paper.
Next, I cut out a door and 2 windows on the side. Then Troy helped decorate by adding bows and lights.
Now we have a little home for his friends. It’s so fun to watch him use his imagination and see him in action with dramatic play. I recently was reading about the positive effects dramatic play has on a child’s development. Here are some benefits of play:
Physical: motor skills development
Cognitive: increases skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, planning, organizing & language
Emotional/Social: enhanced development of cooperation, sharing, turn taking, increase of self control & practice of social roles
The Association for Childhood Education International has stated that play is a natural behavior that is related to children’s development and that no adult instruction can take the place of children’s own activities and experiences through continual play. So I hope the next time you catch your son or daughter talking to their little friends or toys, you’ll remember that this is an important aspect in your child’s development and to sit back and watch their imagination take off.
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