Role-playing games: Playfully stepping into the world of adults
Phew, cooking for the family every day is quite exhausting. Little Emma is currently busy in her toy kitchen. She wants to take care of lunch – just like Mom usually does. Proudly, she holds the small wooden knife and cuts through the colorful toy vegetables, which are held together with Velcro. Stop! Doesn’t Mom wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before she starts cooking? Quickly, everything is rinsed again under the toy faucet. And be careful not to let the pasta boil over in the meantime. Emma has her hands full and, through role-playing, deliberately puts herself in Mom’s shoes. In this way, children learn the routines of the adult world and playfully grow into the world of grown-ups.
Understanding routines through role-playing
By putting herself in Mom’s role, little Emma gains important experiences that will be significant for future everyday situations. She learns that she has to wash fruits and vegetables or that she must not leave the stove unattended. At the same time, she develops an understanding of the adult world. Children begin to comprehend roles and their tasks in daily life and engage playfully with different professions. This leads to the little ones adopting a different perspective and better empathizing with others. Emma now knows how much effort Mom and Dad put into the kitchen every day to take care of her well-being. From now on, she will probably complain less when her favorite meal isn’t on the lunch table.
Reducing fears through role-playing
It is completely natural for children to be more anxious and cautious in everyday situations or around other adults. But this behavior can also be trained through role-playing. It even helps the little ones process experiences and reduce fears. For example, children who are afraid of visiting the doctor can try to overcome their fear by putting themselves in the role of the doctor. Stethoscopes, thermometers & Co. suddenly don’t seem so scary after spending some time with them. Even small everyday situations, like paying at the bakery, become completely normal. After all, the little ones have already imitated this scenario countless times in the play store. Instead of shying away from contact with the seller, siblings suddenly argue over who gets to hand over the money.Entering the adult world through role-playing
Parents can actively promote their children’s learning effect by involving them in everyday situations. Role-playing is important for development. But what has been learned must now be applied in the real world. At some point, real vegetables will be cut instead of toy vegetables. And instead of practicing knocking at the children’s workbench, a real project will be tackled together with Dad. Even small everyday situations offer opportunities for the little ones to prove themselves. Ordering breakfast rolls at the bakery or asking for milk in the store is a good test for children.How to support role-playing
Children naturally engage in role-playing on their own. After all, they process what they see in play by deliberately imitating certain professions or people. A few tips can make practicing for the adult world even more fun:- Join in! Do children want to include you in their role-play? Then do your best and play along.
- Props. Mom’s scarf or a real pack of pasta from the kitchen make role-playing even more realistic.
- Toys. Play stores, toy kitchens & Co. stimulate children’s imagination and are the highlight of the playroom.
