zt: Fresh Ideas for Pretend Games

zt from verybestkids.com

Help your child expand his or her imagination with the help of some creative twists on a few traditional role-playing games. You'll appreciate how life lessons are taught to your child along the way.

1. School Is In Session: If you plan on playing the role of "teacher" in this game, purchase a notebook and write out the entire make-believe school day, class by class, to mimic a typical academic schedule. Remember to stress to your child the importance of being on time! You can even use a small bell to signal the beginning and end of each period. Then, outside the designated "classroom," you can create additional spaces; your living room can become the "library" and your kitchen a "cafeteria!"

2. Dinner is Served!: Before beginning the game, give your child the thrill of creating a personalized menu from scratch! It's a fun arts-and-crafts project that will help teach organization. Go through your mail and newspapers and put aside any articles or ads that include images of food. Then, provide your child with the collection along with some cardboard paper, a few magic markers, glue and a safe pair of scissors. Be sure to supervise the process - but do allow that young, creative mind to lead the way!

3. Shop 'Til You Drop: The more authentic you can make this game - the more your child will love it! Save a few empty cereal boxes and wash out some used cans to use for merchandise. Let your child organize the groceries by category on designated "shelves." Then, find a large bin and fill it with ice; you can create a frozen foods section by moving a few items from your freezer to the cold bin. And don't forget a hand-held shopping basket! You can create one by taking an empty plastic bin and firmly taping a shoestring or strong yarn to both sides for a handle.

4. Home Sweet Home: This hands-down child favorite will serve as a valuable learning experience when you incorporate a household "problem" to solve. Invent a scenario where the family pet is missing, the house is running low on food or the sink is full of dirty dishes. See how they react — be sure to work with them until they come up with the right course of action on their own.