Comments on: How to Encourage Imaginative Play in Your Child

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 03:44:41 +0000

Great list. I think the more electronics our kids have access too, the less imagination they have. I think that is true for things like recess and less free time too. Our kids are over scheduled and over stimulated. They need time to just be kids.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:35:07 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth. Elizabeth I am the kind of mom that gets down on the floor! For sure. I mean not all the time, but I certainly let my kids climb all over my back and gives piggy back rides, and chase them. It can be awkward (and not super fun) as an adult to play pretend. I can understand why it isn't your favorite thing to do. It's not mine either. But, I love the way my kid's eyes light up when I really get into playing and pretending with them. They think it's awesome and they love me even more for it. Good luck!

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:32:16 +0000

In reply to Brittany Bullen. Getting outside is SO awesome for kids. I would love to own a place with a huge yard someday where they have no excuse not to get out and play! Grateful for the new place we live though.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 16:13:28 +0000

Katelyn, these are great ideas. Imaginative play isn’t my favorite thing to do with my little ones, but my youngest is so imaginative that I want to encourage that. These are great ideas. You are the kind of mom that I know ‘gets down on the floor’ with her kiddos. So great. I can learn from you.

By: Brittany Bullen

Brittany Bullen — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:32:05 +0000

Katelyn,

This post and your photos are so much fun! (and yes, to answer your question you ARE on my list!) =) Imaginative play is funny, because I am definitely guilty of relying too much on screen time to keep my kids occupied, but sometimes the kids really can’t help themselves!

When I feel like things are getting a little stale, I find that getting outside makes a huge difference. I wish the weather permitted it to go outside every day because heaven knows they need it!

I’ll make sure to pin.

Brittany

By: Rachel @{i love} my disorganized life

Rachel @{i love} my disorganized life — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:36:11 +0000

My kids always loved imaginative play, and now my granddaughters do, too. It’s so fun to watch them! I got them a play kitchen and play food for Christmas last year and they love it. They also love to walk around in my shoes lol

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:01:01 +0000

In reply to Megan Kubasch. Love it Megan! Movies can be great! Not the only thing for sure, but they are fun. I mean as adults we love them and quote them too!

By: Megan Kubasch

Megan Kubasch — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:28:30 +0000

This is such a great post. I especially loved that you included movies as a part of imaginative play. I was a nanny for a 4 y/o girl who loved the movie Tangled. At the time I had not seen it, but she talked about it every once in a while. One day we were playing a puzzle game, when she stands up, puts her hands behind her back in a very sinister way, and looks me straight in the eye and says “Who are you, and how did you find me?” And me, completely flabbergasted and a bit freaked out responded with, “Uhm… I’m Megan, and I know where you live? … ‘Cause your mom lets me come here?” And she repeated the question and I repeated my answer, and she informed me that I was not doing it right, and that my response was not what Flynn Rider had said in the movie. And I said, “Ohhhhhhh, are we playing Tangled now?” And she rolled her eyes, pursed her lips, and put her hands on her hips. She didn’t say anything after that, but I knew that it was a “Duh, we are playing Tangled, how daft are you?” Anyway 🙂 It was actually one of my favorite moments from watching her because it just goes to show how important imaginative playing is.