The set helps kids get creative in making their own ice-cream. — Photos: Hasbro Malaysia
IN THIS age of digital devices, it seems that children do less pretend play and instead, replace it with watching digital content. This includes sing-along videos, animation, and playing online games.
Yet, pretend play is so important and irreplaceable in a child’s development. Children learn important skills when they re-enact what they see in real life as it helps them process events that happen and the emotions they feel.
An essential part of childhood, pretend play also activates little ones’ imagination as they act out familiar scenarios like cooking, cleaning the house, looking after a pet or a baby and going grocery shopping.
A research published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly last year found that social pretend play fosters preschool children’s peer relationships and social-cognitive, social-emotional and social-behavioural skills.
Meanwhile, a 2012 article in Psychology Today quoted two studies (in 2006 and 2009) that suggested how make-believe games are forerunners of a child’s capacity for self-regulation; it also helps them in reduced aggression, delayed gratification, civility and empathy.
While there are commercial toys that encourage children to pretend play, household items like cardboard boxes and kids-sized cutleries work just as well.
Make your own ice-cream
There’s nothing like this icy, colourful dessert to get kids excited to imagine their perfect sundae. With an array of bright colours and ‘toppings’, this Play-Doh Rainbow Ice Cream Playset (for kids three years old and above) allows them to unleash their inner creators and make a dazzling array of ice-cream.
They can pretend they’re running an ice-cream stall or host their own ice-cream party with friends. Either way, the set offers hands-on activity and creative storytelling that will delight and teach.
Introduction to chores
Part of playing house is keeping things sparkling clean, and this Melissa & Doug Cleaning and Laundry Set gives children the chance to spray, squirt, scour and scrub around the house, using either real water or their imagination. It’s also a great way to introduce toddlers to chores, since they have their own set when they see their parents clean the house.
A kid's cleaning play set introduces young ones to house chores. — janieandjoe.com
Heroes and villains
There’s nothing like dolls and/or action figures to get children to be imaginative in storytelling. Watch as they reveal interesting plots made up by these characters, and you’ll discover unlikely friendships and alliance in their stories too. This Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime, for example, transforms the Autobots leader into different modes, including the Cybertronian Truck. Made for children ages six and up, this one will entertain young ones who are into robots and who enjoy the story of these transforming automobiles.
Action figures give kids the chance to create their own storylines. — Hasbro Malaysia
Sound of music
Children love making music and coming up with their own tunes, and this Animambo series of musical instruments from Djeco helps them to do just that. This beautifully designed wooden ukelele is designed for budding musicians and those who are musically-inclined. Made from strongly varnished wood with plastic neck and bridge, it is something that kids can entertain themselves with while honing their auditory skills.
A musical instrument for kids, like this ukelele, helps hone their musical talent. — janieandjoe.com
Play dolls
Playing with dolls teaches children to be compassionate and caring. It also encourages them to include other people’s perspectives during group play. This Dressy Friends Daisy from June Garden is an educational plush doll designed for kids and toddlers aged two years and up. This soft toy wears a removable pink jacket with a zipper, so it helps kids learn dressing skills including snapping, hooking, fastening, buckling, zipping, looping and tying. Inspired by Montessori education, it is made for little hands to aid in the development of sensory and motor skills.
This educational plush doll teaches kids dressing skills. — junegardentoys.com
