Role Play Toys-Adapt to Different Roles

Pretend play toys are extremely helpful in the development of the preschooler's mind and imagination. Role play toys allow children to explore a part of the adult world, whether it be pretending to work a grown-up job, taking an imaginary camping trip, or cooking in a make-believe kitchen. These toys allow children to use their imagination and to familiarize themselves with ideas and objects that are part of the "big people" world in which they live.

Why Preschoolers Need Role Play Toys

Pretend play toys help children to experience their world in a safe, nurturing way and to make sense of things they may find mysterious or confusing. Role play stimulates intellectual development and pretend toys let children learn how the world works on their own terms. The opportunity to pretend is crucial in the intellectual development of the preschool child and as an aspect of their evolving social skills. "Make believe" encourages children to talk and to increase their vocabulary. And, the bottom line is that playing "dressing up" or cooking in your play kitchen with your imaginary friend is just plain fun!

Specific Examples of Role Play Toys

There are many different types of toys out there that foster pretend play including:

Wild Planet Spy Gear Toys

The Wild Planet toy company markets walkie-talkies and other toys designed to let kids pretend to be top-secret spies moving through the world of espionage and intrigue they see in the movies.

Teaching Cash Register

This toy cash register allows children to play store. With toy money and life-like sounds, children will have fun buying and selling their favorite possessions.

Café Play Boutique Bakery

The make-believe kitchen set includes miniature cookware for the budding baker! When your child learns how to handle their own "kitchen," baking real cookies with Mom is the next logical step.

Pretend and Play School Sets

These sets include a variety of items to let children play school and would be a good gift for a child some time before they enter the first grade. In this case, role play could help the child to make the transition from carefree kindergarten kid to hard-working first grader.

FurReal Friends

These toys are soft animals that interact electronically with your child and provide an animated element to the traditional stuffed Teddy bear or similar toy.

In reality almost any toy will spark role play ideas for children. Little minds are fertile ground for make believe and you may be surprised at the things your child thinks to do with what seem like the most ordinary and mundane objects.

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