Pretend Play Continued........

Thank you to those who contributed  to my previous blog on Pretend Play

I shall continue on the subject.. from all your comments...I gathered that nature in itself can create a lot of imaginative play....some of you mentioned leaves & flowers...

Just imagine what play one can have with leaves & flowers as some of you said...

• cooking 
• I like the idea of the leaf boats that is a new one
• they can have a lot of fun sorting different leaves in shapes, sizes & color
• collage
• printing (by placing some paint on a tray and dip the leave in and then press on to a paper

Shadows....

 Some kids can be sacred of shadows...but if you introduce them the right way, they can have lots of fun...this can also help overcome their fear of the dark....

Just create a dark spot with a spotlight on a wall and then use mediums, shaped cut paper or even the leaves, or doll figurine. and let them use their imagination and let them create a story using these mediums...it is very fascinating for a child to see those shadows moving on a blank wall. It can be lots of fun...

I also love those night lamps that have a disc that turns around  with different shapes or motifs that reflects on to the ceiling....seems to give the child a bit of comfort until one falls off to sleep..

Sand.....

Sand Play is another natural thing that gives endless play both outside and inside...We are all familiar playing with sand at the beach or in a sandpit...

It can be a great activity for inside play...Just create a sand box,if you do not have a sand box..a washing tub can do the trick,actually what I thoroughly recommend (I used to use this)... a storage container with a lid (one can buy them in all sizes and they are not expensive), although I do recommend  a size that you can place on a table or on the floor and the child can move it wherever you think it is suitable. The lid comes in handy, when play is finished, you can put the lid on and store it away till next time..

Now we have set  the stage...now play can start...just to extend their imaginative play, you can offer them different mediums, items etc...every time they play...

• you can give them little sticks , leaves, and perhaps some jungle animals...thus creating a safari
• perhaps cups and saucers, cutlery , a bit of grass or leaves....they can have a restaurant or playing mum in the kitchen
• figurines, cars ...creating endless scenes
• different type of shells 
• just using their finger and creating different shapes through the sand

This activity can keep them occupied for quite awhile....apart from extending their imaginative play, it can also be great to introduce sensory play....some kids have a problem to get used to or familiarize with different textures (this is a great introduction for Autistic Kids)

Water ......

Who doesn't love water...they can spend so much time...just pouring from one cup to another, or pouring through a funnel, or a sifter....

A pastry brush or just any brush and let them paint with water....

You might tell me does this apply to those kids who find it hard to play for a long period of time with the same activity..

Yes from my own experience...I used to find that their span of play used to be longer

Some tricks...

• to challenge them with different mediums or toys
• do not leave all the toys that they own always hanging around, put them some in a box and rotate occasionally...if they are available all the time it becomes the usual thing day in day out..
• some you might leave for a special occasion...My sister and myself  had this special doll that could break if we dropped it, my mum used to give it to us to play with during the Christmas Season and we used to take it with us wherever we go because it was very special for us, then she used to tell us we have to give it back to Santa for next year...somehow we believed her...but we did look forward to have it during that special time

I carried on and on today.....

http://romanticflairoriginal.blogspot.com/http://romanticflairoriginal.blogspot.com/http://romanticflairoriginal.blogspot.com/