Today we’re going to explore celebrated Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of development.
Research suggests that engaging in Imaginative play benefits children in a wide variety of ways, including:
- enhancing language skills
- improving social interactions
- stimulating creativity
- enriching vocabulary
- aiding in self-regulation
Numerous educators believe that play is a passive activity that can be permitted during breaks between instructional blocks. They view it as an unprompted action that doesn’t require their involvement, providing teachers with time for other tasks.
Vygotsky recognised imaginative play as a “leading factor in development” and believed imagination created action.
Play is considered the main activity of preschoolers and early elementary children. The preschool period in Vygotsky’s terms is the time between a child’s third and seventh birthdays, therefore it includes kindergarten and early primary grades.
Vygotsky’s play involves planned role-playing and imaginary situations governed by specific rules. Each scenario has defined roles (characters) and corresponding behaviors allowed within the play context. These rules help educators foster, enrich, and scaffold mature dramatic play.
When children are young they have a strong interest in the world around them, and a keen desire to participate in regular adult activities. A safe and age-appropriate way to to encourage participation is through imitation and exploration of social relationships through dramatic play.
One way to introduce dramatic play that you are probably familiar with includes play stations such as:
- restaurant
- grocery shopping
- veterinarians office
- fire station
- workshop
Stations are typically stocked with a plethora of props to use with them, and children are left to play with the materials however they see fit.
My favorite type of imaginative play involves loose parts.
Loose parts are materials which can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and repurposed in multiple ways.
Loose parts inspire children’s “what if” thinking, fostering problem-solving and imaginative skills. They add adventure and excitement to children’s play.
Loose parts play outdoors might include sticks, stones, and sand.
A popular German toy brand that makes rich-colored and textured loose parts is called Grapat. They create rings, coins, and many other shapes to be used in all sorts of imaginative ways.
The Grapat Mandala product line is a favorite of mine! You can find many dramatic play ideas online using these parts!
I’ve crafted these recipe cards to guide children in creating play food using loose parts in the classroom. I know the Grapat Mandala sets can be fairly pricy, so I’ve included printable versions of all the loose parts which can then be laminated and used over and over!