By Jennifer at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch
If you watch your little one closely during play, you may notice some familiar activities. You might catch them feeding a baby doll, showing a book to a favorite stuffed animal or even borrowing your shoes for a short stroll. Children often imitate the world around them through pretend play. These activities allow them to grow their language, cognitive and social skills as others join in the fun. Sit down beside them as they play. You may quickly find yourself learning more about your child as they invite you into their beauty shop, restaurant or wherever their imagination takes them! What a great opportunity to ask them questions, model active listening and prosocial behavior, and it’s a fantastic way to bond with your child. As their knowledge of the world grows through reading, exploring and learning, children’s imaginative play will too. Before you know it, they may be sailing the seas in their pirate ship box, putting on a live concert with pots and pans in the kitchen or saving the world with only a string. The Library offers many opportunities to build your child’s imagination through play in our branches. From our Racing to Read Play & Learn Centers to creative programming and beyond, the Library is a wonderful spot to nurture and inspire your child’s developing mind!
Here are a few book suggestions about imagination for you to look for at the Library. Be sure to ask your librarian for suggestions!
Pete the Cat's Groovy Imagination by Kimberly & James Dean. Pete the Cat wants to go surfing, but he looks outside and--oh no!--it's gray and rainy. Does Pete get sad? No, he doesn't! Instead, he finds a really big and GROOVY box. Find out in this epic adventure just where Pete's imagination takes him.
Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty & Pascal Lemaître. Burning toast, a sizzling sidewalk, volcanoes erupting at a science fair - danger lurks everywhere, and not a firefighter to be found. Ted knows it is time to become Firefighter Ted. It's the least a helpful bear can do.
The Fort by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Adelina Lirius. In the fort in the woods, a prince is preparing his castle for a lively feast for the royal kingdom. Unbeknownst to him, a pirate uses the same fort as her ship, planning to venture out to the open seas in search of treasure. But when a treasure map appears on the prince's party invitations, and the pirate finds that her sword has turned into a scepter, they realize there is an intruder in the castle--no, ship! Soon, a battle over the fort between the adversaries ensues, leading to a humorous showdown. When they make amends, their amazing imaginations come up with a new adventure together.
Henri's Hats by Mike Wu. A trunk filled with amazing hats shows Henri that his grandfather is not just a quiet old man, but someone who once had the sort of grand adventures Henri imagines.
Pretend by Jennifer Plecas. What could have been a quiet afternoon at home turns into an adventure for Jimmy and his dad. Their couch turns into a boat! The staircase becomes a mountain! And blankets become a cozy hut, just right to cuddle inside. The one thing they don't have to pretend about is how much they love one another.
Questions or need more ideas? Email racingtoread@thelibrary.org