By school age, your child will probably:
- Have a clearer understanding of what’s real and what’s pretend
- Be able to plan out new creative art
- Enjoy learning a musical instrument
- Enjoy imaginative play
Your child will spend a great deal of time lost in the world of his imagination. Encourage this by helping your child invent new ways of creative play, from putting on a play to dressing up in old clothes. Try to limit screen time to under an hour a day and this way he will have a lot more time for imaginative free play. There are lots of ways parents can encourage their children’s imagination including:
- Telling stories and reading books
- Keeping a craft box filled with paints and crayons and paper
- Playing word games, including silly rhymes and riddles
- Playing dress-ups
- Listening to music together
- Playing with musical instruments
- Watching fantasy movies for kids
- Getting your child involved in lots of new activities, such as a walk in the park or a trip to a museum.
Read more: Play and talking