Pretend and Imaginative Play

by Dr. Marian Fritzemeier, Ed.D. ©2014

Author, Speaker, Educator

Strolling down the toy aisle with Parker, my three-year-old grandson, he's drawn towards playthings with push buttons. Buttons he hopes will make sounds and "talk" to him. As a child development specialist, I'm not too thrilled with his fascination because these toys don't leave much to the imagination.

"Grams, this one doesn't make any noise," he comments rather confused.

"You're right Parker, it doesn't. You have to use your imagination. You can pretend and make the stuffed dog say anything you want." An interesting concept for a child living in a computer generated world where imagination is virtually untapped.

Benefits. Pretend play helps children gain developmental benefits including creativity, imagination, self-confidence, mastering new concepts, and communication skills. So how can parents encourage pretend and imaginative play in a technological world? Provide open-ended toys and materials, dramatic play items, games, and interactions that facilitate children's play.

Open-Ended Toys. Begin by choosing toys and materials that are "open-ended." This means toys that offer different ways children can play with them. Examples of open-ended play items are blocks, cardboard boxes, wooden train sets, dress-up clothes, play dough, and art materials. Items children can build and create anything they dream of are ideal for imagination, such as: old fashioned wooden blocks, Duplos, Legos, Lincoln logs, Mega blocks, and magnetic blocks. One day children make a zoo while another time they construct a ferry.

Dramatic Play. Another way parents can enhance children's imaginations is through dramatic play. Building forts, houses, hospitals, and stores using common household items provides infinite creativity and pretending. Sheets, blankets, pillows, cardboard boxes, large appliance boxes, stools, chairs, and boards are great materials. Children can also imitate real-life events to advance pretend play. For example, if the dog goes to the vet, children can invent a pet hospital at home. A dentist's office, doctor's office, hair salon, pet store, or auto shop are other ideas.

Dress-up Clothes. Children also enjoy dress up clothes in adult sizes that you can discover at used clothing stores, such as Good Will. Choose items that represent both genders as well as clothes from different cultures. You'll enjoy watching your children try "adult" roles as they express themselves in pretend play.

Games. Games provide another way for expressing imagination. Once children learn rules to traditional board games ask them to generate a new game with different rules. You can also provide children with common game items and ask them to create a new game. "What kind of game can we play with a Frisbee and a ball?" You'll be amazed at how much fun they'll cultivate for your family

Benefits. Finally, talking to children while they play not only promotes children's vocabulary, communication skills, and storytelling, but helps children's imaginations. Suggestions like, "What else can you build?" or "How can you make your store higher?" stretches children's problem solving abilities and the beginnings of abstract thinking. Puppets are another great way to facilitate pretend play and vocabulary. A chair with a towel over it becomes a puppet stage. Encouraging your children to use their imaginations by providing a wide variety of play items and interactions will build skills that will last a lifetime.

Image from: Stock.XCHNG www.sxc.hu/ playful-spring-time-2-1187577-s. Accessed 4/23/2014.

Preschoolers and Choices

Dr. Marian Fritzemeier, Ed.D. ©2014

Author, Speaker, Educator

As a college professor, I chose what committees I happily wanted to serve on. If the college dictated which committees I must be on, I wouldn't have been happy. What about you? Do you serve well if you have choices or have choices made for you? Our preschoolers are no different. They too like to have control. Giving them the power to choose encourages autonomy (independence) while minimizing conflict.

Choices Can Begin Early

Choices can actually begin when babies become toddlers. Simply asking, "Do you want to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt today?" as you hold up the items provides a choice. A toddler can point which empowers them.

This or That?

Limiting choices helps preschoolers select. Many restaurant menus offer innumerable choices that sometimes overwhelm adults. Instead of asking your preschoolers, "What do you want?" ask, "Would you like chicken bites or a grilled cheese sandwich? Do you want milk or juice?" If the preschoolers are verbal, have the children order their own food.

More Choices Examples

Here are some more ways to give children choices. Instead of asking, "Do you want to take a nap?" (Why do parents ask this?) Inquire, "Do you want to nap with your teddy bear blanket or your doggie blanket?" When it's cold outside, don't ask, "Do you want to wear your jacket?" ask, "Do you want to put your shoes on first or your jacket?" After preschoolers make decisions based on two choices, gradually increase the number of choices. For example, "Do you want raisins, a granola bar, or yogurt for snack?"

 You'll discover that your preschoolers do better with choices just like we do.
Image from: www.stockpholio.com I Luv Pencils by Rex Boggs, 8413684208_4

To exercise or not to exercise?

 Dr. Marian Fritzemeier, Ed.D. © 2014
Author, Speaker, Educator

Has your doctor's suggested you exercise for health benefits? Did your friend suggest exercising as a way to lose weight? Do kids ask you if you're going to have a baby because of your tummy pouch? 

Should I exercise today or not? It's a question you may ask yourself on a regular basis. Nah, not today, I tell myself. It's raining. Maybe tomorrow...or if I'm lucky, maybe it will rain again. 

This week I spoke to a group of Mothers of Preschoolers in Tracy about The Physical Perspective. Most of us know that exercise is helpful to prevent weight gain, promote weight loss, or maintain our weight, but that doesn't always do the trick. 1 
 

Some of us are motivated by money. The Center for Disease Control says that exercise can significantly lower your annual direct medical costs. Getting people to exercise could cut yearly medical costs in the United States by more than $70 billion dollars. 2 What can it save you? 

Some of us are motivated by health. Exercise reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. 1, 2 It also reduces stress, depression and anxiety. 3 Enhancing mental performance and work productivity (whether your "work" is in your home or outside your home) are other benefits. Exercise can even improve your skin. 

But some of us are motivated by sex. The benefit the mothers' giggled about is that 20 minutes of exercise a day improves your sex life. 3 Who knew that the Harvard School of Public Health studies such things? It's true. Just 20 minutes/day Improves sexual response in women, leaves you feeling energized, and helps you feel more desirable. Dr. David Katz from Yale adds, "Working out with your partner not only will allow you to spend time together, but it will trigger adrenaline & other feel-good hormones to get you in the mood." 3 

I shared with the ladies, "If your husband finds out about this, chances are he'll ensure you get exercise time in!" Maybe that will work...rain or not! 

Sources: 

1. Physical Activity and Health, www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/ Accessed 10/23/2013. 

2. The Benefits of Physical Activity, Harvard School of Public Health, www.hsph.harvard.edu › The Nutrition Source. Accessed 10/25/2013. 

3. Image from www.stockpholio.com 5032496501 4, Pilates, US Army

We Don't Have Any Money! Money Matters for Preschoolers

Dr. Marian C. Fritzemeier, Ed.D. © 2013

Author, Speaker, Educator

"Mommy, I want candy."

"We don't have money for that," I state.

I continue adding items from my shopping list to the grocery cart.

"I want donuts. Pleassssse," my three-year-old daughter begs.

 "We don't have any money," I explain once again.  "Count three cans of corn for mommy. That's right; you found three cans from our shopping list."

After several more times of telling my daughter we don't have any money, we finally finish our grocery list and approach the checkout stand. The clerk scans all the items and summarizes, "That will be $28.35."

"My mom doesn't have any money," my daughter quickly informs her.

My face reddens with embarrassment. The kind clerk informs her, "That's okay. I don't have any money either," as she smiles at me.

No Money for That
Of course my child thinks I don't have any money to buy groceries. How many times did I say that to her? What I neglected to explain to my three-year-old is that we have money for what we NEED, but not always for extra things that we WANT.

Wants versus Needs
So began our new campaign at home. When Kristen saw something she wanted, my husband and I started explaining the difference between a need and a want.  For example, "It would be really fun to have ..... Let's put it on your want list for the future." If it was something she needed, we clarified, "Yes, you're right. You need new shoes. Your old shoes are too small."

Over Time
By the time our daughters were in early elementary school, they could accurately identify the difference between a need and a want. God always provides for our needs. And many times He blesses us with our wants.

Lessons Learned
In the grocery store that day, I learned a key component of money management. We must teach our children the difference between a need and a want. It is a basic principle of training children about money. Do you know the difference? What about your children? Do they know the difference? Today's a perfect day for teaching this concept.

1. Image from: Stock.XCHNG www.sxc.hu/. coins-1428100-s. Accessed 4/17/2014.