The Great Pretenders

Parents

McREL Principal Researcher Elena Bodrova was quoted in this article on the importance of imaginative play for children. Bodrova asserts that such play increases children’s vocabulary--if parents and children are role-playing being in a doctor's office, for example, parents can use words like “vaccination,” or, in a restaurant, ask the chef to “saute” the vegetables. “Children will use these words when they play the game again,” says Bodrova. While kids feel more confident when parents participate, she cautions to let the children control the theme and direction of the game.

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