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Role Play
We can use our imagination to imagine anything, from colorful to interesting characters. Many people think that “games” such as kicking a ball or stacking blocks are physical sports, but some games require the use of imagination, such as “role-playing” or “make-believe games”. This kind of game can explore children’s emotions and act out their thoughts. Psychologists believe that it is particularly important for children to learn social and cognitive development. Let’s see how a simple structured game “Supermarket” can help children develop their strengths.
Let’s look at a real-life example and imagine this situation:
Two children are pretending to go shopping in a supermarket. Child A takes on the role of “cashier” and his job is to patiently check out at the checkout counter. Child B will hold a shopping basket and collect all the groceries according to the shopping list. Child B then pays at the counter while Child A helps put everything in the bag.
Role-playing can help you learn:
Understand other people's perspectives
Playing different roles in an actual supermarket, such as a customer or cashier, allows children to learn advanced thinking patterns such as “theory of mind” or “empathy”. Children from the age of 3 will understand that other people’s psychology or thoughts are sometimes different from their own. “Empathy” is to understand and share other people’s emotions.
Social Skills
Children can learn to cooperate with others through role-playing, understand the roles of others in the game, generate different interactions, and learn to share toys, take turns and cooperate with others.
Languages
Children have the opportunity to learn simple vocabulary through shopping lists, which can be replaced with drawings if the child is relatively young. They will also be exposed to common phrases used in supermarket transactions, playing customers such as: “Where is (the object)?”, “How much does it cost here?”, and as a clerk: “Welcome” or “This is (the price).”
Math and Money Awareness
Children learn simple math by knowing the quantity of goods when they check out. At the checkout, children who play the role of cashier can learn about the relative value of goods (more = higher price, imported goods are more expensive than local goods for the same product). Children who play the role of customer will learn the concept of giving money and change, and if the child is older, can learn the exact amount.
Sequence
Through role play, children can learn the order in which things should be done. When shopping in a supermarket, they will learn how to buy a shopping cart, put items in the cart, wait in line to check out, pay, and put items in the bag before buying them!
What are you waiting for?Let your children use their imaginations!
“Role-playing” games are suitable for children aged 2 to 6. Through role-playing, they learn how to shop, such as placing goods in the shopping cart, or paying and talking to the cashier. This is a fun interaction and experience. They learn a lot about shopping and apply it in their daily lives!
