Let’s pretend - connecting through role play at The Honeycomb Hub
 |
| Tiny Town at The Honeycomb Hub. What shall we "Let's pretend" today? |
‘Let’s pretend we’re teenagers and we’re going to visit each
other at our houses.”
“And let’s pretend that I’ve broken my leg and we have to
bandage it”
“yes, let’s make the vets a Doctors now”
“or we could pretend that we’re both Jaguars and you’re the
Doctor Jaguar”
Let’s pretend – wonderful, magical words that are used so
easily by youngsters yet as we grow, responsibility seems to shrink those words
out of us. Our tongues forget how to form their shape and we lose access to the
magical worlds they create.
“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good” - Lucia Capocchione
I feel so fortunate that I get to hear those words so often
here at the Honeycomb Hub. The traditional ‘Let’s pretend’ inspired by the
rooms of Tiny Town as children become parents looking after their babies in the nursery or
take them out shopping. They become architects and builders as they pretend to
construct impressive buildings in the builders yard or risk the wrath of their
‘police officer’ friends when they stage daring break outs from prisons.
“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” -Joseph Chilton Pearce
For many grown ups, pretending can seem a tiring exercise –
minds going blank at the thought of what to become, how to act in a role and
something that only children should do. However, the joy children get from playing
pretend with their grown up is incredible and it can help to keep us young! George Bernard Shaw said "We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." Children see things differently, the
hint of magic not lost from their vision. Though you may have only helped them
stack the blocks to form a tower, to them it is the tallest tower ever built
and should be rightly admired as such. You may have simply sat in ‘Naledi’s
Deli’ (the café in Tiny Town) and ordered a coffee and cake, yet your
child will have become the chef mimicking all the things they have seen you do
or observed when visiting different cafes and restaurants. However, their play is a
great opportunity for children to practice routines and skills. Washing hands
before touching the ‘food’; pouring pretend drinks; carrying things to the
table, washing up the items. Many skills are being learned as the children are playing. 
It can seem daunting when it is not something you are used
to but playing with your child is one of the best ways to foster close
connections with them. Playing is also a great way to teach, role play
scenarios and encourage confidence. In our book corner, we have a range of
great books for parents to read and one of them is called ‘playful parenting’
by Lawrence J Cohen. In it he discusses how children are more likely to open up
and discuss ideas that are troubling them through a playful scenario than
simply asking them outright. Playing can be a great way to connect with your children.
“Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman
If you do need any reminders on how to get back into
imaginative play we do have some guides around Tiny Town and any one of us at
The Hub is always keen to join in the fun too! But the best way is to simply
listen to your child and follow their lead when they say “let’s pretend”.
For more information on The Honeycomb Hub and Tiny Town, the ideal way is just to pop in to visit us in Phakalane (as we have been told on many an occasion that we have to be seen to be believed!) - the kettle is always on and Tiny Town is open 9am-5pm Monday- Saturday.
However, if you cannot visit, our details are:
Phone: 75935900
Email: thehoneycombhub@outlook.com
website: www.thehoneycombhub.com,
or facebook and Instagram as The Honeycomb Hub.
We would love to hear from you.
Comments
Post a Comment