Thematic fun.
Thematic fun develops most successfully in the company of an older brother or sister, or another friendly child. Although there are circumstances, when it is undertaken with a completely accidentally met peer. Acquaintances and friendships are made very quickly in this period of life.
Two children play best and most harmoniously together, albeit sometimes in larger groups, especially the age difference, there are no misunderstandings. Most often there are conflicts and arguments between the three peers. They are usually caused by matters related to the division of roles, because in every game there are roles and more, and less attractive, and how to play them. The reason for conflicts between young children is most often a toy, older ones can already share their property with others, but they disagree about it, who will perform what tasks in the game.
Usually the oldest child in the group gets the most important, and therefore the most attractive role. And it does not cause dissatisfaction, no opposition from the younger ones. They accept this division with full understanding and approval. Younger children perform less important, auxiliary tasks. They also obey the eldest child's commands without protest, resulting from the ongoing action. Among peers, however,
quarrels and misunderstandings often arise at the moment of assigning roles. Sometimes conflicts are so acute, that there is no fun at all. Offended at each other, the children disperse and each plays separately. Disagreements at this age, however, tend to be short-lived and reconcile quickly.
Playing with an older child brings many benefits. It has more ideas, more invention, can direct the action. The younger ones, by participating in the joint play, learn from him, how to organize it. However, constantly being in the company of slightly older colleagues has its downsides. The younger child is given only secondary roles, it is constantly executing the commands of the elder. Many parents care about this, Make sure your child has friends of different ages, had fun with the elders, and with the younger ones. It's worth it too, at least from time to time, create such situations, so that he can lead the fun, show your creativity and creativity, a. and organizational skills.
Only children can play roles alone. Sometimes they take turns filling several roles, announcing it, what and for whom they are playing at the moment, and sometimes play is done with an imaginary companion. In such a situation, the help and participation of an adult is always welcome. It doesn't mean that of course, that you have to stop your activities and engage in fun like this, like a peer friend. It's enough, if, for example, cleaning the apartment, while not interrupting ironing or cooking dinner, a playful convention is adopted, is aware of the course of action, appropriate dialogue is conducted with the child, from time to time he is asked questions expressing interest in his activities.
The participation of parents in the child's thematic play should be very discreet. Nothing should be imposed on the child. You should also not interfere in the course of action without a clear need. The child is waiting, that adults are interested in their activities, he was aware of the fun, and, if necessary, he was willing to take up and carry out the task proposed to him. Sometimes, when you see, that the plot of the game starts to tear and the child does not know much, how to manage it further, is grateful, if an adult advises, how the action might unfold. The idea is worth bringing up, for the child to be convinced, that it itself is its author and has developed it further as it sees fit.
During the themed play, the child is constantly talking to himself, your companions and toys. Names activities, which he is currently doing, or announces loudly, what is he going to do next, sometimes, when it is unable to faithfully reproduce the necessary action, informs, that it has already been done, thus shortening the course of action and taking it further at any time, at a time convenient for you.
For themed games, children need a variety of props. For this purpose, they most willingly reach for various eagerly collected treasures: cones, chestnuts, sticks, pebbles, buttons, strings etc. The prop does not have to be either shape, or similar in size to the imitated object. A child's imagination is very rich, so that's enough, if the item is properly named and used correctly.
In period, when thematic games start to dominate, doll furniture is welcome toys, sets of kitchen utensils, tableware, various animals and such props, like a little doctor, little conductor, little policeman etc., and slightly older children enjoy Indian headdresses. All these accessories enrich the fun, stimulate the imagination of the child, trigger new ideas. However, you don't need to overdo it with their amount. One or two props will suffice, to animate the imagination. Kid, who picks up a doctor's handset, he becomes a doctor, carefully examines and auscultates the doll or teddy bear, then write the prescription with a block on the box and prescribe a treatment similar to this for his patient, that had been recommended to him. The moment he throws a conductor's bag over his shoulder, he transforms into a conductor and checks with excitement, or train passengers - dolls, mission, dogs, balls, construction set, parents, grandmother – have valid travel tickets. In play, not everything has to be as in life, and that's fine, if the child is trying to replace the missing one, and the necessary utensils with any objects. His fantasy turns a scrap of paper into a valid train ticket, couch or armchair into a speeding express or plane. This is the beauty of children's play, that everything is possible in it, anything could happen, and the power of a child's imagination is able to bring any object to life and conjure up any desired situation.