As a home education mentor, I work with parents who are navigating the beautiful, yet challenging journey of educating their children at home. One of the most enriching aspects of this journey is watching children immerse themselves in make believe play for year well beyond where it would be expected to end for schooled children. For parents seeking to reduce burnout, slow down, and keep things simpler, integrating make believe play into learning can be a game changer and take a lot of the pressure off your own shoulders too!

My daughter is always lost in make believe, if I am not rocking her like a baby, or stroking her like a pet cat or feeding her under the table like a dog....I am hearing her turning two snowflake stickers into a mummy and daddy searching for their baby snow flake in the blizzard....

I have found myself worrying at times that she doesn't seem to be showing an interest in 'facts' and 'learning' in the way we see being prioritised in schools, but I have been realising more and more recently that her make-believe worlds are helping her to make sense of it, to understand concepts, social hierarchy, her anxieties, her interests....all I really need to do is listen and sometimes 'strew' something into the mix to help her approach something with her vastly imaginative curiosity. 

The Power of Make Believe Play

Make believe play is more than just a pastime - something we fondly recall from our childhood; it's a vital part of a child's development. Through imaginative play, children:

• Enhance Creativity: They explore endless possibilities and solutions, nurturing their creative thinking.
• Develop Social Skills: They practice negotiation, cooperation, and empathy, which are essential for social interaction.
• Improve Language Skills: They create stories and dialogues, expanding their vocabulary and communication abilities.
• Boost Problem-Solving Abilities: They face and navigate challenges within their imagined worlds.

For neurodivergent children with autism, ADHD, OCD, etc, make believe play can be particularly beneficial. It provides a safe space to experiment with social roles, which can sometimes be challenging in real-world interactions.

Integrating Make Believe Play into Home Education

Here are some strategies to seamlessly incorporate make believe play into your home education journey, helping to keep things simple and engaging:

1. Role-Playing Scenarios: Integrate role-playing into whatever you are learning about. For example, visiting a castle - why not make a sword and shield, reading the signs about the history of the place, act it out with them instead of just reading it. This makes learning infinitely more engaging for both of you.

2. Storytelling and Creative Writing: Encourage your children to create and share their own stories. This activity enhances literacy skills and allows them to express their ideas and emotions creatively. Try and limit critiquing, stating where it doesn't make sense, etc - allow it to meander freely. The most important thing here is connection, good listening and demonstrating your comprehension and interest - however fleeting!

3. Themed Learning Stations: Get a little creative yourself and set up simple learning stations with different themes. For instance, a “an evil scientists lab” for experiments or a supermarket with real money for maths. We often think make believe play is all about barbies or sword fighting, but strewing some fun scenarios around from time to time can spark a curiosity!

4. Fantasy and Fiction in Curriculum: Never have I seen my autistic son have more fun with creativity since we started reading Harry Potter - he has whittled a wand, learnt loads of different spells and has duels with his friends all the time now! Books and stories with rich, imaginative worlds spark curiosity and make learning more enjoyable. This can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent children who may connect deeply with fictional characters and scenarios. Stay open to notice how these fictional worlds intersect with the real world and what they are understanding from them.

5. Interactive and Immersive Learning Tools: Utilize tools like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for immersive learning experiences if you can find them! I went on an epic date with hubby once at a VR arcade and was blown away by how these technologies can make things come alive and are particularly engaging for children who thrive on visual and experiential learning.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Provide Simple Props and Materials: Offer everyday items as props for imaginative play. There’s no need for elaborate setups; simplicity can often spark the most creativity.
• Join in the Play: Occasionally join your children in their make believe play. It shows them you value their imaginative efforts and provides opportunities to guide their learning subtly. Resist the temptation to guide it or give it an outcome - let it go where it goes. I understand there are often reasons why joining in is not easy for us as parents and this is worth working on personally to understand why you find this hard, I promise, it isn't because you are a 'bad parent'. 
• Encourage Independent Play: Allow your children to lead their own play sessions. This fosters independence and gives you some respite, my easiest one recently was recreating a birthday party environment - balloons, music and a piece of cake - now GO! (2.5 hours!!!) 
• Observe and Reflect: Pay attention to the themes your children explore in their play. Use these observations to tailor future learning activities that align with their interests and strengths - as subtly as you can!

The Long-Term Benefits

Incorporating make believe play into your home education routine offers long-term benefits. Children develop into adults with strong problem-solving skills, creativity (so desperately needed in today's society), and emotional intelligence. They learn to approach challenges with an open mind and communicate effectively.

We thrive when we are able to be creative and build a world around us that is engaging and interesting, we cement learning and we find friendship. 

So, let’s encourage their flights of fancy, support their imaginative adventures, and watch them transform into lifelong learners, all while keeping our own stress levels in check.

About the Author

Kelly Rigg, founder of Offroading Motherhood, is a dedicated home education coach & mentor with a passion for helping families create enriching, individualised, stress-free learning environments. With years of experience in supporting parents and understanding the unique needs of neurodivergent adults and children, Kelly offers personal growth practices, practical advice and innovative strategies to make your endeavours into home education a rewarding journey for everyone in the family. Follow Kelly on Instagram or TikTok for more tips on tackling burnout as a home educating parent or understanding how to build a home ed journey that lights you up. Find out how you can work with her here.