In order for children to learn and explore they need to have time for free play. Time where they use their imaginations. This is when they play with toys that they recognize from life. Not play on tablets and computers. This is a box of dress ups, blocks, a cash register, telephones, animals, dolls, food items and dishes. They get to mirror what they have seen and what they have learned.
Too much time is spent by young children playing with tablets or other toys that talk to them or entertain them. These items may teach them the alphabet and numbers, but they don't teach them to use their imaginations and free association. Plus, more often than not, they are sitting and not moving around.
In order to have imaginary play they require substance to draw from such as movies, real life, appropriate television programs, and story books. As you share these items with your children, you ask questions and talk about your experiences to enhance their thought processes. Then you provide the materials and let their imaginations soar.
It is so important to not consistently entertain or play with your child. If you begin this habit when they are small, it will be their expectation as they grow up. It doesn't mean that you don't play with them at all, or never take them to do special events, but don't be planning every minute of their day for them. Set time limits if they tend to expect you to play with them. This should only be when they are very small and don't have enough life experience to invent enough of their own play time. Show them the way by playing pet store, shoe store, zoo, cooking with the play toys, building towers that become castles, pretend trips in an airplane or to the moon, etc... Before you know it they are busy for hours at a time enjoying free play.
I use large bins that I switch out either on a daily or weekly basis. In one bin are a couple dolls, some stacking cups, keys on a ring, dish cloths, old credit type cards, a purse or backpack, and stuffed animals. My second bin has a cash register, a couple Elmo phones, two small blankets, shape bucket, couple toy pans, a few toy cars and trucks, Sesame Street characters, and stacking rings. Third bin consists of old computer keyboard, play laptop, little people van and school bus, baby doll carrier, two tiny dolls, drum, musical light up toy, purse and backpack. All bins have a blanket or sheet, phones,books and something music related. I didn't include everything that is in each bin but I think you get the picture. Blankets become tents, sleeping bags, picnic and beach blankets. Phones are used to pretend to speak to each other or bring in outside people such as Grandma or the boss. It's endless... The shape bucket pieces become homemade cookies while the stacking rings become donuts or bagels. I have had children play for up to four hours where I only need to remind them share, take turns, and let everyone use their ideas. Giving them the right tools to have hours of fun using their imaginations.
Due to preschool, organized sports, arts, and daycare, children seem to have less and less free time. Everyone requires time to free associate and not have to follow the group. I have spoken with teachers that have mentioned how children in their classrooms need to be told each step of the day, they have a hard time moving on to the next activity. They feel the need to double check without using their own judgment. The same children have participated in planned activities their entire life and do not know how to proceed on their own. The students are told time to line up, time to wash hands, time for lunch, time to draw, time to sing, time to etc... they are constantly being directed to the next activity. This rigid routine hampers their ability to make decisions of their own. Which makes it all the more important to have opportunities to make their own choices and not be in activities that require them to conform. This doesn't mean they run wild without any rules, however, it does mean they learn to play on their own and entertain themselves without electronic devices.
Imagination and pretend play enhances your child's life. It helps them grow mentally while they explore their life choices. It teaches them independence and the ability to be happy by themselves. In groups of pretend play, the children learn to share and incorporate everyone's ideas, while building on the fantasies and imaginations of others.
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