Possibility Thinking: Imaginative Play

Milla and Aiko are masters of imaginary play! They can spend all day immersed in their make believe worlds and often entice other friends into their games. With their magical capabilities, they create new characters and spaces and turn one thing into another. For example, a block becomes a phone or a ladder becomes a shop window.

Playfully pretending in this way is strongly associated with the ability to think about possibilities and understand other peoples minds (1). It provides a safe place for us to experiment with different plots, words, tones and expressions and explore and process what we have seen, heard or felt before. It also provides a space for social skills and the the art of negotiation to be put to practise and further developed.

Manaakitanga - expressing kindness and respect for others (emphasising responsibility and reciprocity) becomes a valuable asset. We quickly learn to cooperate if we want to keep the game moving along harmoniously. Taking part in this kind of play also means Milla and Aiko have the opportunity to build on their ability to empathise as they act a part in ‘someone else’s shoes’. By exploring imaginary play these amazing tamariki are building on their social skills as well as their confidence, creativity, communication and problem solving abilities.

Imagination is the most powerful power tool of all power tools! It is imagination that brings everything into creation and play is the training ground for every adult’s creative mind. Milla and Aiko are self directing their own learning here and we will continue to tautoko (support) their interest by making sure we have lots of intriguing resources for them to make use of. I see we have been gifted a box of treasures (tiara’s and netting etc) from Lucie’s grandmother, I wonder if any of these pieces will catch the creative eye of Milla and Aiko?

Bridget: Teacher/Kaiako at Greerton Early Learning Centre