Pretend play is not just for fun

Some memories stay with us throughout our lives. One such memory or habit, I would like to share with you today. I don’t know what it’s called but I will just tell you my feelings.

I have an 8 years old son. When he comes home from school, he immediately plays the “school game”.

Don’t think what is this game? What did he do at school, how did he talk to his friends, he comes home and imitates such things exactly. He arranges toys and teddy bears blackboard as well in his room. He will become the teacher. Toys and teddy bears are the children. He checks their homeworks, give the exam, and also give them punishment. Very funny to watch. He called it the “school game”.

But why I am bringing this up now because, I used to do the same thing when I was younger. I had the same behaviour. My elder brother is still teasing me, “all the walls in our house are damaged due to this game.”I used to think that I was the only one playing like this.. but when I see the same behaviour in my son, I started to wonder and “is this child psychology or genetic problem?

First of all it is called pretended or role play (not a school game). Now let’s see what some psychologist say about this pretended play.

1. Improve their imaginary skills.

2. Children cannot tell their parents at home about everything that what happened it school. If the parents observes everything that happened there the parents can know what happened through imitation.

3. By coming home and doing something, but they want to do or cannot do in school the stress in their mind goes away.

4. Moreover, they imitate the teachers and remember what they have learnt in school again.

5. Communication skills, story telling, say something Boldly and speaking on stage.. these are all the benefits of this play.

6. As parents play with their children in this way, the good bonding between the child and parents is also strong.

All this is fine, but as a mother.. I have another doubt here. This behaviour made me wonder, how they can know that this is not true, if they are pranking..

It is wrong to think, that the mischievousness will disappear as they grow older. This say that, this behave your slowly disappear in them. As far as, maturity concerned it is said that, it depends on the teachers, parents and conditions of around us.

As a mother, I have learned many things. Moreover my son once again reminder me of my childhood days.