For children, play is both a serious and necessary business: a way for them to try on different roles, pretend to be bigger than they really are, stronger than they really are, or even, at times, smaller than they really are. And playing gives children a chance to rehearse for events that may be worrisome to them - a visit to the doctor, a first haircut, or the first day of school. By pretending about such things, children can find out how they feel about them.

Young children who are just learning language often use a variety of other ways to “talk about” things that concern them. Playing or drawing may be an easier way for them to “tell” us what’s on their minds. Giving children many opportunities for pretend play can set the stage for them to work on their feelings and to communicate their thoughts and ideas to others. Here are some things that you can do to encourage pretend play.

Make a safe place for your child to play.

• Create a place for your child to play that is out of the way so he or she can build with blocks or play with toys and not have to worry that someone will knock things over accidentally.
  
• Throw a sheet over a table or drape a blanket over a couple of chairs to create a room or house for pretend play.
  
• Have some boxes or bags available to store dress-up clothes or materials that children may want to use from time to time (medical play props; office play props). This keeps things out of the way, yet readily available when children have a particular theme in mind.
  

Set aside time for your child to play.

• Children need a block of time to plan and carry out their ideas and to create stories that have a beginning, middle, and an end.
  
• Let your child have the time he or she needs to plan ideas, build a structure, or develop a play theme.
  
• Let your child know well enough before “clean-up time,” so your child can finish what he or she is doing.
  

Provide materials for pretending.

• Keep on hand old clothes, hats, shoes, jewelry, and purses for dress-up.
  
• Collect cardboard tubes, boxes, and plastic containers for building.
  
• Make homemade sock puppets from old socks or paper bags. Your child can glue scrap materials or use colored markers for eyes and a nose.
  
• If your child is playing with store-bought figures, offer a box to make a home or vehicle for them.

Let your child know that you value his or her play.

• When your child invites you to join in the play, follow your child’s lead about what to do.
  
• Sometimes children want a parent to just watch nearby and appreciate the play.
  
• Let your child know he or she has good ideas.
  
• Take photos of your child at play, making block structures, wearing costumes, or playing with puppets.