The Art of Play

Fantasy Worlds and Imagination

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Source: http://twigandtoadstool.blogspot.com/
Children naturally have "magical" imagined worlds.  Building fairy houses, to attract faires is a fun activity that connects children with nature.  
Children can also imagine they are someone else during play.  Dolls, dollhouses, vehicles, etc can help children learn while role playing.   
Puppets can take on a life of their own in the hands of a child.  Teachers and parents can use puppets to read stories to children, or explain thoughts and feelings relevant to a child.  Concepts such as sharing, frustration, and cooperation can all be role played with puppets.
Art is another venue for children to invent other worlds.  While painting, they can imagine a scene, person or animal.  Encourage children to come up with stories about their artworks.  
Fantasy and role play are important ways for children to foster creativity and develop their imaginations.  

Pretend Play/Dress up

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Madeline playing dress up at the Columbus Zoo
Children love to dress up in costumes and role play new identities.  Dress up clothes don't even need to be elaborate.  Second hand stores usually have a good selection of used Halloween costumes year 'round.  Parents closets with old hats, ties, shirts, purses, jewelry and shoes are great places to obtain dress up clothes as well.  

Children can also make costumes from paper and fabric.  Paper hats are fun to fold and decorate.  Paper crowns ranging from simple to elaborate are also easy to make and fun to wear, adding to a child's imaginative play. 


Forts

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Source: http://choosetoshine.blogspot.com
Nothing's simpler than a fort made out of furniture, and sheets, blankets or old towels.  Playground equipment makes a great apparatus for a fort as well.  Use clothespins to secure sheets together.  Children love creating their own space and hours of fun can be had building and using their forts.
Large leftover boxes for appliances make excellent structures as well.  Have children draw or paint the outside to personalize their creation.  Several large boxes together create a small town or city.