not computergames but child play (Role Playing Games (RPGs) in general)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Role Playing Games (RPGs) in general
Date:	19/02/03 (357 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: life experience, good fun

Disadvantages: ?

I am not going to talk about computer games but the pretend games, role playing with children.


You must have played role-playing games yourself. Played in a Wendy house or played at being mothers and fathers, Drs and nurses, or played shops. These games are a practice for real life.
Copying what is seen in real life and pretending it is happening. These games are very important to a child’s development, helping to make sense of the real world.
Top psychologists are employed to help adults do the same thing. For instance imagining a successful business meeting, or the winning of athletics events.

You do not need many props for make believe role playing games. In fact, children often seem to enjoy role playing more and use more imagination, the fewer props they are given. All they really need is an idea

If I know a child in my class is going into hospital or has a relative in, I might get the Dr’s set out from the play area. Children can dress up as nurses /Dr’s; take temperatures, pulses.
I might bandage a child’s arm or pretend my arm hurts.
Children love giving me pretend injections ‘ouch it hurts, but only a little. Soon be better’. It helps prepare them for visits to the doctors /hospital.

House play allows lots of pretend fun! Who’s the naughty boy? Granny comes to visit lets make her a cup of tea, cook diner for big teddy he’s daddy ohh the baby needs feeding make sure the milk isn’t too hot mummy always feels it like this. Eat your greens Jessica they are good for you. No Paul do not throw your dinner on the floor.
David you are Daddy here is your sandwich you have to go out to work. I have got to do the housework sweep the floor (hand brushes are useful), oh that was fun, now look what you have done the baby is crying give him a cuddle.

Lets go camping - under the table (put a tablecloth over the table) and put a cover under fo
r the bed.

No we do not pretend we are fighting/having a war put that gun down ( it is only a stick) I do not encourage these games I know some children will fashion anything to be a gun but I discourage these games. Children will make war games up and play them on their own anyway.

Lets go shopping – ‘Mummy I am shopkeeper’. All you need is a table set up with tinned foods or maybe a toy shop with toys lots of pennies, real money is best, a toy till or just a box, pot /mug to put the money in; with maybe a bag of some sort to put purchases in.
Helps with the recognition of money and its worth. Practice of what its really like to go shopping.


I am getting tired of playing games now lets go to the café and have a drink. Teddy and dolly can come too. I shall put some squash in a jug. I will have a coffee put the biscuits on a plate do you want to be the waitress, Jill? Yes I would like a coffee and that cream bun there please what would you like john? Can we have the bill please Barbara you can pay? We can go to MacDonald’s for lunch I was going to cook beef burgers anyway.


Toys props you may need

Dressing up clothes (old clothes of yours or visit the jumble sale). You can buy dressing up kits nurses’ uniforms e.t.c
Toy Tea set
Dr’s kit with stethoscope, thermometer, syringe, lots of bandages.
A toy till tins from the food store, an old handbag, real pennies are best

The games are endless so many other incidents experiences can be played out

I find it fascinating to watch and listen to children play .I often hear and see myself in the actions and words a child speaks. Oh no do I really sound like that?

What shall we play today? You can play on the computer/watch the television later but first I think dolly needs a bath she has been playing in the dirt, Lets pretend we are………………̷ 0;. <
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Thanks for reading…Mary

Summary: