Imaginative play is so important and helpful to children because it

helps them to learn and use new language, begin to make sense

of their real-life experiences and enables them to try out things,

take risks and solve problems.

Acting out the familiar

A great place to begin with imaginative play is re-enacting everyday

situations that young people will have seen.

This could be incorporated into part of your daily routine, such as tucking

teddies into bed before bedtime with your young person.

You could set a place at the table for a soft toy or doll, and show your child

how to cut the doll’s food up and feed them – using language and gesture

and encouraging them to have a turn.

Pond Meadow School, Home Learning Suggestions

Imaginative Play

A great use of outdoor space during this time can be to play ‘bath time’ with

toys, or use soapy water to wash clothes and peg them out on a washing line

at a lower height so your young person can act it out.

If your child already enjoys these sorts of imaginative play activities but

prefers to play by themself, you can try and use these opportunities to

incorporate some turn-taking.

For example, using play food and taking turns to cut up and pretending to

eat different foods.

If your young person is missing school and their

friends, you might like to use props so that they can

act out saying hello to their friends and create their

own miniature school.

Imaginative play through songs

Using familiar songs and rhymes with props is a great way to encourage

imaginative play and understanding of concepts. For example, using

different blocks to build bridges and singing ‘London Bridge is falling down’.

Here are some songs to try – you could use Playmobil or Lego people or

animals, puppets, or even draw and cut out your own characters.

Acting out a favourite story

You can find some stick puppets for printing from the twinkl website for many

popular traditional tales and some other favourite stories-

Room on the Broom https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-7703-witch-and-animals-stick-puppets

Using props

Using props is a great visual signal to help children understand the

‘pretending’ aspect of play. They don’t have to be purpose-made and you

can use anything you have around the house.

For example, Dad’s sun cap might become the hat you wear when you are

being a racing car driver, or Mum’s scarf might be the cape for when you

pretend to be a superhero.

Another way to bring imaginative play to life is to create a ‘Roleplay area’ for

your child to play with. Again, this could be as simple as hanging up some

bedsheets or using plastic baskets to make cages for animals in the zoo.

You can use music or videos on an ipad or device to bring more realism to

your imaginative play scenario. For example, putting a sensory aquarium on

for underwater play or the universe for if you are being an astronaut and

travelling in a rocket ship!

Things to do with a box

If you have a cardboard box around the house, large or small, you can use it

as way to bring your child’s interests to life.

What/ Who can I be?

Your child may love being a character from their favourite book or TV show –

Marshall from Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig or the Gruffalo.

Pretending to be an animal can also be lots of fun!

You can help your child to learn about different types of people and jobs by

exploring familiar roles – Doctor, hairdresser, Scientist. This can also be a

helpful way to help your young person feel less anxious about experiences

like going to the Dentist.

Whatever you and your young person choose to do or be, please feel free to

share pictures with your child’s class teacher. ☺ Have lots of fun!