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Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood

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Anyone who has spent any time with children knows that a child’s imagination knows few boundaries. Being able to navigate the realm of fantasy play is a natural characteristic of childhood. Children engaged in pretend play can be an endearing sight for adults watching them, but pretend play’s value goes far beyond entertainment. Imaginary play is a critical tool that children use to help them explore and gain greater understanding of the world and their place in it.

In this month’s Ask an Expert discussion, we’ll be exploring why children are naturally drawn to fantasy and pretend play. We’ll examine how such play supports children’s overall development and their ability to adapt to their environment and social life. We’ll be pondering questions like, “How does make-believe help children master emotional, social, and intellectual competence?” “Why do some children create imaginary friends?” “What is the proper role of adults in children’s imaginary play?”

Of course, there is a lot more to discuss about imaginary play beyond those questions. So send your own questions in to let me know what mystifies you about the topic. Together we can discover why children so wisely engage in this pastime throughout their early childhood years—which we’ll define as birth to age 8 years.

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