The symbolic game is one that involves daily actions in real life, like feeding babies or taking them in your stroller. In other words, it is about learning how life works as such, through play and imitation. An essential way of learning that children carry out practically from birth. Therefore, it is a fundamental part of the development and growth of the smallest of the house.
Therefore, it is very important that children have on hand tools with which to develop symbolic play, regardless of whether they are boys or girls or your way of upbringing. Learning to feed a baby, hold it in your arms, or cradle it when it cries will lay the foundation for what children will be like in their adulthood.
The benefits of symbolic play
Symbolic play affects positive way to different areas of child development. So, through these types of activities, both the physical, psychic, emotional or social planes are stimulated. These are just some examples:
- It stimulates creativity and imaginative play
- They learn to handle different roles and personal roles
- It helps them to position themselves in their environment and to understand the functioning of the things that make it up
- They develop basic skills for their future as adults
- Helps to develop language skills already expand your vocabulary In a simple way
- They work different areas of their psychomotor development
- Boost curiosity and the need to discover things, to inquire and investigate the world around them
How to promote symbolic play at home
Children learn through imitation and from a very young age, they will try to copy your gestures, your way of speaking, cooking, etc. But it is important to note that many children do not discover this type of play naturally, and in those cases, it is even more important to promote symbolic play. This usually happens with children who have some type of autism spectrum disorder or maturational delay among others.
Promoting symbolic play is simple, you just have to offer the child the necessary tools to carry out common activities, for example:
- baby dolls with accessories such as a pacifier, a bottle, change clothes, etc.
- toy kitchen utensils, including different types of plastic food
- a car steering wheel
- a dollhouse with different rooms and furniture that are usually had at home, you can create it yourself recycled materials
- costumes from different professions, such as a firefighter, a postman or a doctor with his first aid kit
Play with your child to encourage symbolic play
In addition to offering toys with which to develop this game, it is important that you spend time playing with your children. Symbolic play is essentially "pretend", as if you are feeding the baby, as if you are treating his wounds as at the doctor or as if you are giving him a pacifier when he cries. For children to acquire an interest in these types of activities, you need to spend time with them playing and exchanging roles.
Let your child try to feed you with his toy foods or his plastic spoon. Encourage interaction between the two so that the symbolic game flows and your little one can benefit from all the advantages of these everyday activities. You will help him prepare for his future as an adult, you can improve his social skills and even help him organize his thoughts more efficiently.
As for the toys, you don't need to spend a small fortune in them, you yourself can create many games at home that will be perfect to stimulate your children. Let your imagination fly and you will see how with a simple cardboard box, you can create such fun things as an armor, a toy kitchen or a car, for example.