Many parents tell us it can be hard to switch into “pretend” with your kids. It can feel silly and awkward. We get it!
This is a good time to remember that role-playing with your child for a few minutes a day is one of the most important ways that you can help your children learn how to solve problems.
Examples of Child Role Play to Try:
- If your child is having trouble at school, you can ask your child, “Can we play school? I will be you and you can be the teacher!”
- If your child is having a hard time sharing, you can say, “I will be pretend to be your friend, Ellis, and we can practice sharing your toys.”
- To prepare your child for eating at a restaurant, you can say to your child, “Let’s set up a table and pretend we are at a restaurant!”
- To teach your child how to ask for help, you can use your child’s favorite stuffed animal to show your child how it can be done. “Teddy Bear is asking for help finding his shoes. He is asking a teacher — Excuse me, can you please help find my shoes?”
Keep it Short:
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Using role-play to teach children about solving problems does not have to take a long time. And if your child wants to stop role-playing before the timer goes off that is just fine! Tomorrow is another day.
Practice, Practice, Practice:
Before anyone gets good at anything, it takes a lot of practice. This is the same for your children. Child Role Play gives your kids plenty of opportunities to practice problem-solving at home in a safe place for a short time with a person they trust.
For additional support, talk to one of our Family Help Line Coaches by calling 1-800-932-4673 or email familyhelpline@parenttrust.org