Role playing boosts creativity, and strengthens imagination.  Because you are the primary care giver and because her family plays such an overwhelming role in her life right now, your preschooler will love playing you.  Who among us hasn’t loved playing “mommy,” tottering in her high heels and her pearls dangling (we think) stylishly?

This kind of role playing has more benefits than the mere cuteness of it all.  You might not realize it but if you observe carefully, you’ll see your child mirroring your actions and gestures, even your style of talking, and the phrases and facial expressions you use .

Role playing activities are not just fun for preschoolers, but can also be a learning experience.  Make it an educative process by giving her props, helping her come up with imaginary situations and enacting real life ones with her. Here are some ideas:

Let her act out the beginning of your day.  Give her props to do so.  If you work outside the home, she’ll need car keys, your cell phone and handbag.  Discuss the process with her. Where’s mommy going?  What time will she be back?

Discuss what happens at your workplace with her.  Let her act out your day as she gets back home too.  She might need more props again.

If you’re a SAHM, let her enact out your day as she sees it.

Play at reversing roles.  Let her be the one giving you milk and cookies at the table.  Ask for more milk, and let her pour out a glass from the jug.  Prepare for some splashing, or keep a tray under the glass to catch spills.  Learning to pour without splashing helps develop motor skills.

Ask her to read you a bed time story at night.  Keep a picture book ready, so she can make up stories.

Playing at being you helps her understand how things work, and why people do the things they do.  She is able to form a pattern to your behavior, and understand routine in your life.  Above all, acting out requires her to concentrate and use her memory to remember what exactly she has seen you doing - always an intelligence booster.

Enjoy!