Believe In Make-Believe
Napp supports making time for make-believe. We’ve learned time and time again, research after research, that "pretend” has become a crucial part of child development — and, not to mention, it’s simply FUN.
We recognize it as so much more than dressing up or pretending to eat an invisible pancake, drinking tea made of air, pancakes made of mud, or bowing to the fairest princess of the land. We genuinely see lessons being learned, ideas being formed, imagination coming to life, and gained insight into where children often escape.
THREE HUGE development lessons we’ve come to recognize in pretend play are:
1. Empathy
Empathy is literally part of early childhood education and curriculum in Denmark: “The Happiest Country In The World.” Children often act out the role of the caregiver during playtime — the mommy, the fireman, the doctor, the teacher, the soldier, the nurse, the trashman, the astronaut, the policeman, madam president. Encouraging and supporting this specific trait, rewarding this specific action has been proved to show significant effects throughout the child’s development. Be it their actions towards a pet or animals in general, a younger sibling, or even in the care for inanimate possessions.
2. Exploration + Discovery
We’re talking about discovering their voice, their confidence in decision making, and exploring their curiosity. Remember, make-believe is unscripted. They are literally making it up as they go. It’s FASCINATING! Watch them try things in the role they’ve adopted they’d never try in “real life.” Discovery can often lead to the exploration of new ideas.
Say you’re world-renowned chefs… just you and your Little, how great would it be to explore with vegetables and allow your Little to encourage YOU to take a bite of this yummy broccoli. A sense of ownership and pride is discovered in make-believe that translates into their everyday role as your Little.
3. Wordplay
Language, a second language, even a pretend language can be introduced and nurtured here. Who says your Little has to be the King of Tampa or Denver’s favorite princess? Why not shoot for the moon and conquer Paris or Madrid, while you’re at it? Little by little, their minds and brains begin to work in unison and language, a 2nd language, can be introduced during play.
We’ve found that this is also a great time to master a first-language! Many of the children for whom Napp sitters care are building their vocabulary every day. One day we may conquer the pantry and learn to identify and master the names of items we love to eat or have seen mom and dad prepare for dinner. Another day we may address colors, and animals, shapes, letters and numbers. Wouldn’t YOU be more inclined to learn if you were wearing a cape or crown? COME ON.. you know you would.
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We’d love to hear some stories of what you’ve discovered, or what has surprised you during some of these imaginary escapes. Did you hear your Little say a word you didn’t even know they knew? Did you witness a sense of confidence once only shown beneath a cape that manifested at school or dance class? We LOVE this subject, so please don’t hesitate to comment or send us an email sharing your story.
See you soon!
Claire and Katie, Co-Founders, Napp
info@nappnetwork.com