Play Playing

A huge elephant rumbles through the jungle, swinging her trunk from side to side. She trumpets ear-splitting elephant sounds and stomps her feet as loudly as she can. The elephant is on her way to play with her friend, the fuzzy blue goose. They meet up and are having a tea party, but then they get attacked by a one-legged pirate. Then suddenly it starts raining cupcakes! An epic cupcake fight ensues, and Batman and Robin show up for a while too, and the fight could have lasted forever--except it’s time to put the toys away and go eat dinner. Such is the storyline of a game of pretend. Adults look back on games like this and smile, remembering with fondness the days that they could use their imaginations like that. What is it about playing that is so irresistible and entertaining to children? Beyond the whimsy and fun that accompany playing make-believe, pretend play has a considerable influence on a child’s development. Veiga, Neto, & Rieffe (2016) consider why play is such a significant aspect of a child’s life, stating: …show more content…
As Veiga, Neto, & Rieffe (2016) discussed, participating in different forms of play benefit a child’s development in a variety of ways. Pretend play, in particular, involves growth in different areas that affect a child’s development into adolescence and adulthood. Children spend time in varied environments such as schools, homes, and daycares, all of which guide and direct the children’s activities. Unfortunately, not all parents and teachers appreciate and understand the importance of pretend play in children’s development. It is vital for society to understand that children need to be free to play pretend, ensuring that children don’t miss out on the benefits that come from pretend play. Playing pretend influences cognitive, emotional, and social development in children, and it is essential that it not be