Rainy Day Games
Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” As usual, Einstein knew what he was talking about. And, it is for this very reason that dress-up kids toys are so important to your child’s development – and yet, so much fun!
Active Play
One of the great aspects of dress-up kids toys are that it encourages active play. There is no sitting down in front of the television when you are a famous racecar driver or athlete! Similarly, if you are going to pretend to be a superhero, you need to run around and help people in distress. While playing with dress-up kids toys, your child will certainly get plenty of exercise to keep her strong and healthy.
Dramatic Play
Playing with dress-up kids toys also encourages dramatic play. Dressing up like a chef gives your child the opportunity to pretend to be an adult and to start becoming comfortable with that role. Or, pretending to be a teacher might help your preschooler learn how to be comfortable with going to school. Kids actually use dress-up kid’s toys to help them sort through and make sense of the world around them. As they essentially role-play the behaviors of other people, they start to become more comfortable with the role each of us plays.
In addition, dress-up kids toys encourage your child to learn how to act. He may change costumes as he takes on a new role. This interaction with himself as different “characters” also helps him learn more about social interaction. While he thinks he is just having fun, he is actually experimenting with conversation and his speaking and listening skills.
It is for these reasons that most kids choose to play dress-up within themes they are already familiar. For example, many start off by playing house and pretending to be the mommy or daddy. This is because they are already somewhat comfortable with this theme and have an idea of how to act it out. Watching your child and how he role plays as the parent can also give you some valuable insight as to how your child perceives your parenting to be. To encourage this type of dress-up play, you only need to provide your child with a few “adult” items, such as sunglasses, hats, or an old string of beads for a necklace. You might also give your child some toy keys or dishes or other items he might commonly see you use.
Stretching Other Concepts
Another great aspect of dress-up play is that it can help your child to better understand ideas and concepts. For example, if you are reading a great book together with your child, he can dress up as one of its characters and act out what you are reading. This is a wonderful way to get your child actively involved in the story.
Similarly, if you are discussing a famous historical event, dress-up play can help your child bring the event to life. Dressing up as a famous historical character and acting out the event makes it more real to your child and easier to understand. Of course, it also makes it a lot more fun!
Versatility
One of the great aspects of dress-up clothes is that they are so versatile and the costumes your child creates by mixing and matching costumes will amaze and delight you. For example, your child might use the cape from a superhero costume and combine it with the boots of a cowboy costume and the pants of a clown costume. Who knows exactly what this new character is supposed to be! What really matters is that your child is having fun and using her imagination. Perhaps she is a super rodeo clown!
To really encourage your child to get active and to enjoy dress-up play, you also want to provide him with a variety of props and outfits. The more he has to choose from, the more he can mix and match and the more “roles” he can play.
No matter how your child chooses to play dress-up, rest assured that she is working her mind in the best possible way. She is stretching her thinking abilities, utilizing her natural creativity, and indulging her creativity. All of these are desirable outcomes when children play.