Pretend play is a vital part of childhood as it gives children infinite opportunities for learning and self-expression which empowers them with the skills they need to excel in many areas of life.
Shopping role play is a great way for children to explore the world of imaginary play. A shop is a familiar concept for most children and the perfect place for them to take on different roles.
The benefits of playing shopping are numerous, including:
- Physical Development.
- Social and Emotional Development.
- Cognitive Development.
- Developing Language and Communication.
- Introducing the Concept of Money.
- Public dealing
- Following rules.
- Physical Development Children are developing constantly and they are continuously learning new things about how their bodies work and about the world around them. Playing shopping can be a great way to help develop both the fine and gross motor skills that children need. Stacking their shelves requires good gross motor skills.
- Social and Emotional Development
- Play is a vital part of children social and emotional development specially when they are playing with other children and learning to share, take turns and build relationships. Even when children are playing alone they are taking on different roles, developing empathy and an understanding of how other people might think or feel in different situations.
- Developing Language and CommunicationSuch role plays are also great for developing language and communication skills. Not only do children get to use words and phrases that they might not otherwise use in their daily lives but as they grow older you can introduce reading and writing in their play by encouraging them to make signs, menus and price lists for their stores.
- Introducing the Concept of Money
- Finally, playing shop offers a great opportunity to introduce the concept of mathematics and money.
- Playing shopping introduces children to basic concepts like money, price and change, as well as activities like buying, shopping, budgeting making list of things and saving. It helps children in understanding the value of money and how to tell the difference between needs and wants.
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