How much pretend play is good for a 3 year old?

S

sparkle33

Registered User
Hi there, have heard that pretend play is really good for lil kids but would like to know if too much pretend play is normal.. because my 3 year old is always pretending to be in different situations and this seems to be her favourite game. from morning till the time she goes to sleep loves to pretend to be at the hairdresser or school or in a car etc. She likes me to join her pretend play games but its really tiring me out now as makes me repeat stuff. Sometimes I feel she is so much in her pretend world refuses to listen to what I have to say and just continues her play. Just worried if this is normal behaviour. Also loves to make arrange toys in different ways. Like will suddenly make a house out of cones, cups and knives instead of using it for cooking. Even before sleeping she took two pillows, put them together and said its the school door and started this whole thing about being in school.
Has anyone else experienced similar things with their kids especially the pretend play part.
Any feedback will be appreciated..Thanks!
 
It's totally normal, in fact, it is a great thing. This is the age where children really start to use their imaginations. It can be really tedious as a parent though! Also very frustrating when they are so caught up in it that they don't listen. I am frequently told that my daughter can't do something I have asked her to do yet because "I just have to give my teddy some medicine because he is ill" or whatever!
 
that is great! the language development is very good and the creativity is even better - no need to worry at all!
 
sparkle33 reading your post was like reading about my 3 yr old daughter. She is in a make believe world all day long, I know its tiring sometimes but its brilliant for their development. I am so proud of my daughter for being so imaginative and being able to recreate situations, interpret stories and role play.
 
I'd say you should be very thankful as your daughter shows signs of a developed sense of creativity which probably also indicates that her brain is fully switched on (she seems very bright)--you may have a gifted child on your hands which is a great thing but can also become a burden (for example, you talking about her wearing you out with her play). She may need more outlets for her creativity--so if you can, try to get her into a class or activity that encourages and gives her an outlet for that play--the YMCA has many different classes for younger children--that's where I would look first. So, you can take her to class and go across the street and have a cup of coffee at Starbucks and give yourself a break. :)

My son has a lot of energy and also likes pretend play--he especially likes em construct things out of different objects and take things apart and put them back together. Have you heard of multiple intelligences? My son shows an aptitude in Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart"). He has always been more developed physically than children his own age--for example, he started walking on his own (without support) when he was 8 1/2 months old and by the time he was about 10 months old he could climb stairs and run. For this reason, we've found that the YMCA sports classes are exactly what he needs to engage this part of his personality and help him develop. I think it is great for every parent to take a look at what areas their children are excelling in and try to engage that area (as well as develop other areas).
 
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I recommend reading the book playful parenting. I just read it and while I may not always agree 100% with a parenting book, it helps remind us that play is a child's work, and sort of sparks your imagination on how to make the things you want them to do into play.
 
Just Playing
When I am building in the block room, please don't say I'm "just playing". For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes. Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, don't get the idea I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play; I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, please don't let me hear you say, "He is just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm expressing myself and being creative. I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience, please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find, don't pass it off as "just play". For you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school, please don't feel the time is wasted in "play". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods, please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "just play". I'm learning to follow direction and see differences. I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, please don't say I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I just played", please don't misunderstand me. For you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play.

~Anita Wadley
 
One of the best poems about children playing i've come across. so true and so sad that "just playing" is so looked down upon in hk.
 
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