Symbolic play is an essential activity for the optimal development of boys and girls. This game consists of imagining different situations, characters and scenarios, allowing boys and girls to play various roles. that will reflect your experiences or fantasies.
In the next article we are going to talk to you of the benefits of symbolic play regarding the cognitive and emotional development of boys and girls.
Cognitive development
Symbolic play plays an essential role in the cognitive development of boys and girls. Next we will talk to you about some of its advantages:
Helps stimulate your creativity and imagination
Symbolic play allows boys and girls to use their imagination to be able to create different worlds and characters. Inventing situations allows you to develop skills to think creatively, something that will be beneficial in the long term.
Allows you to improve communication and language
When boys and girls participate in symbolic play, they will use language with which to interact with other characters. This helps to improve their vocabulary, their communication and their understanding of language.
Development in problem solving
In symbolic play, boys and girls face a multitude of situations that will require solving various problems posed in said game. This allows them to develop a certain skill when solving such problems.
Encourages abstract thinking
Symbolic play teaches boys and girls to use symbols and representations with which to express complex ideas. This helps develop the ability to think in an abstract way, a very important skill in the field of learning and problem solving.
Emotional development
Symbolic play will also have an important role in the emotional development of boys and girls. Some of these benefits It will consist of:
Emotion management
Thanks to symbolic play, children can freely express their emotions. If a child is afraid, she can put these feelings into practice within the game and learn to manage it in a safe way.
Encourage empathy
When children take on different roles in symbolic play, they must imagine How other characters feel. This is something that will help foster empathy among the little ones. Empathy is a key value in human beings, which is why it is important to experience it through symbolic play.
Strengthens self-esteem and confidence
Symbolic play will allow boys and girls to explore such important roles. like heroes or doctors. This means that they can develop an important sense of both confidence and self-esteem.
Social development
Symbolic play will also allow the development of social skills like the following:
Encourage teamwork
In symbolic play, boys and girls must play together and must collaborate to create stories. This is something that will promote skills cooperation and teamwork, keys to being able to socialize in real life.
Helps resolve conflicts
In symbolic play, certain disagreements may arise about how a story should develop or what a character should do. Being able to resolve these conflicts Within symbolic play, it will teach children skills regarding conflict resolution.
Health benefits of symbolic play
In addition to the benefits seen above, symbolic play will also have positive effects in physical and mental health of boys and girls:
- Sometimes, symbolic play will involve performing different physical movements, how to run or jump. This will help boys and girls carry out some physical activity.
- Symbolic play offers boys and girls a means to be able to relax. Being able to fully immerse themselves in imaginary worlds allows them to put aside the stress of everyday life.
- All these benefits will help boys and girls have a certain well-being. Symbolic play will provide a safe space in which boys and girls, They can explore while learning and grow optimally.
How symbolic play should be encouraged in boys and girls
Taking into account all the benefits that symbolic play has, It is important to encourage this activity in both boys and girls:
- The materials necessary for symbolic play will include creative toys and that allow the imagination, such as building blocks, costumes or dolls.
- It is important that the space in which boys and girls play be safe and free of danger. This is essential so that they can move freely and play without any problem.
- Parents can participate in symbolic play, but without imposing any type of norms or rules. Adult participation can enrich symbolic play and allow children to have good models of positive behavior.
- It is important that boys and girls are the ones who lead the symbolic play. This will allow them to develop their own ideas and skills and promote their autonomy.
- Teachers can incorporate symbolic play in the classroom in order to encourage learning and the development of certain skills in both boys and girls.
In short, symbolic play is a perfect tool when it comes to achieving optimal development of boys and girls. In this game, creativity or empathy will be encouraged, among other things, and it will prepare boys and girls so that they can have a successful life. That is why parents and teachers must encourage this type of play on a daily basis and collaborate on comprehensive development.