Make-believe-play

One of the special seasons in the life of a child is when he or she is passing through the season of pretend play. It is a fascinating period in the life of a child, because it helps the child to expand his or her imagination, imitation and exploration. This enhances understanding, experience, social interaction and communication.

I observed our neighbour's daughter often present with her father when he would wash the car. She would gather water in a bucket and help in cleaning and drying. Of course she sometimes irritated her father, by splashing water on the car after he had dried the surface. I noticed her father ready to put up with it. She was given a small bucket and a sponge. It was she, who often cleaned the back of the car.

I noticed that her bicycle was always sparkling in the cycle stand. I remember asking her once, 'how is that you keep your bicycle so clean'! 'My father keeps his car clean always', she replied. Many good habits begin through pretend play. However, cumbersome it may be for adults, it is necessary to appreciate this developmental process as an essential part of childhood formation. Any attempt to negate it, as pretend play can cause some inconvenience, such as the need to tidy up a place after a child had played, will be interfering with the need of the child to have this experience for childhood formation. Denying a child to go through this phase is a disservice to their creative and formative process.

As adults we can feel sometimes disturbed by this pretend play. A child may want to join her mother while rolling chapatis; it is good to give her a chance. Another child may want to paint, when a parent or a sibling is doing the same; let him or her have an opportunity to play with colors. While mending a tap, a child may want to play with the tools. Let that be encouraged.

As I watched the children play with the toy cart on the road (photo), I noticed their delight in doing so. It is one way they gradually enter into the adult's world to understand and make sense of association of cause and effect. It is necessary to observe the interests of a child and make provisions to enhance them. If you were to notice a pre-school child keenly observing any activity and wants to be a participant in it, it is an indication of child's natural interest and inclination. All wise parents would observe this and create opportunities for enhancing their instincts.

Arpit used to play with toy string instruments when he was around two years. That is what made Anna observe his musical interest. He began his piano lessons and joined a children's choir in the pre-school years. Now he plays four or five musical instruments well and is musically highly accomplished. It began as pretend play.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)