One of my favorite moments during my last Powerful Play workshop was talking with the table of teachers who were doing their in-depth study on dramatic play.  With wide eyes and excited tones they made connections between the play they saw in the classroom and the developmental benefits of playing pretend.

“Susie” played hospital for weeks after her brother was born.  “Bobby” had themes of death woven through his play for a month after going to his grandfather’s funeral.  “Lisa and Lori” spent most of their dress up time negotiating themes and characters.  And the concept that pretending is actually part of  building the foundation for reading — that one sparked a major a-ha moment.

Seeing how excited they became as they unpacked all of this, reminded me of why I love what I do.  And made me want to give the same experience to you.  So here’s a repost from the archives, originally posted in 2010.  A primer on the purpose of playing pretend.

Share your observations of powerful play in the comments!
Many parents have come to their child’s preschool teacher with the same concern.  “It seems like my child plays dress-up all day at preschool.  What could he possibly be learning from that?”  The question is understandable – what does he learn from leaping around with his cape fluttering behind him?  And yet, the question is somewhat ironic, as these very parents likely spent much of their childhood engaged in the same kind of play. [Read more…]