white paper
Mastery Through Make-Believe Play
The Benefits of Make-Believe Play
Make-believe play, also known as fantasy play, is one of the most human behaviours, as it involves our ability to understand that a physical object can represent something it is not. For example, a stick can be an ice cream, a stone can be money, or a doll can represent a living baby - even though the child is aware of the difference between the two.
Make-believe play, or symbolic play, creates a playful platform for experimenting with thinking skills. It also supports the development of key life skills such as emotional growth, as well as language, literacy, and communication.
In this white paper, the KOMPAN Play Institute highlights the multiple benefits of make-believe play for children in nursery, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2.
7 Ways to Inspire Make-Believe Play in Playgrounds
Encourage Make-Believe Play: Engaging playground themes such as animals, houses, shops, traffic, and fairy tales help children connect with real-life experiences and provide easy conversation starters, which in turn boosts social interaction.
Increase play duration with intriguing elements such as manipulative play spheres, mirrors, bells, turnable plates in desks or auditive stimulation with music panels.
Increase play value by combining themed settings with physical play activities: Spring riders, spinning equipment, fireman’s poles and swings will be part of the make-believe or fantasy play taking place in the playground and add activity, in particular for older children.
Increase visit duration by adding space and opportunities for rest, for instance with tables or counters under platforms in post and platform systems, or with park benches next to themed play equipment areas.
Increase the number of children who can use the play equipment at any one time with designs featuring more access and exit points, both inside and outside activities. Double-sided play panels under platforms offer more play opportunities, allowing children to engage in activities on both sides of the equipment and make better use of the available space.
Expand the range of ages, abilities, and accessibility by providing all of the above at ground level. Never underestimate the value of good ground-level play. With the right number of varied, themed play challenges at ground level, such as play houses, cars, themed seesaws or low combination systems, the make-believe play of children up to eight years can be well-supported.
Consider adding sand areas to your themed playground equipment. Sand and water play can support make-believe and fantasy play with props that will prolong playtime (see point 2).