| In imaginative play, your child pretends to be another | | | | - A range of cooking utensils |
| person. This happens naturally during his play as he | | | | - Artefacts, such as furniture |
| acts out situations for pure enjoyment. | | | | Points to consider when setting up a Home Corner |
| As you think of planning suitable imaginative play for | | | | - Resources should reflect a multi-cultural society and |
| your child, you should think about how he needs to be | | | | help your child to recognise, understand and value the |
| encouraged to communicate such as... | | | | differences between them |
| - Listening | | | | - Explain the reasons for resources supplied so that he |
| - Looking...understanding what is being communicated | | | | gets an understanding of them |
| through body language, such as the nod of the head | | | | - Provide dressing-up clothes that do not specify |
| or a smile | | | | gender...for example a female police officer or a |
| - Talking...being talked to and talking with you or other | | | | female fireman. |
| people | | | | Safety of Equipment |
| - Writing and drawing - provide examples of signs, | | | | You should make sure that all equipment provided is |
| marks etc. Provision of paper and pencils will | | | | safe for your child to use. You should check it regularly |
| encourage him to communicate by putting marks on | | | | before your allow him to use it and should be repaired |
| paper. | | | | or replaced when necessary. If possible all equipment |
| Examples of Child-Led Imaginative Play | | | | should comply with the required safety standards. |
| - Books and stories | | | | Remember that... |
| - Sand and water play | | | | - Clothes should be kept on hangers and regularly |
| - Painting and drawing | | | | cleaned and mended |
| - Play dough | | | | - Equipment must be checked for rough or sharp |
| - Small world play such as play Mobil or lego | | | | edges |
| - Puppets or dolls | | | | - Beads and necklaces should be safely strung and |
| ** A hat is one of the most essential parts of an | | | | not made from materials such as seeds or glass that |
| imaginative play. By offering your child a box of variety | | | | could be swallowed easily. |
| of hats he will be able to role play many different | | | | Children with Special Needs |
| characters. ** | | | | Always consider a child with special needs when |
| Creating a Home Corner to Encourage Imaginative | | | | setting up an imaginative play area. A child in a |
| Play | | | | wheelchair will need plenty of space, while a child with |
| Resources that should be provided to reflect other | | | | visual impairment may need textured and brightly |
| cultures include... | | | | coloured equipment. |
| - Clothes and hats | | | | |