Dressing up allows children to express themselves, explore different characters, and escape into magical, fictional worlds. Jumping onto a brightly coloured floor rug can transport creative minds around the world, and at great heights. Sheathing a plastic sword at the waist means a dangerous battle has just been won in the lounge room. Having props or costumes in the home can keep children in their favourite storybook long after reaching the last page.
We highly value the magic of children dressing up as their favourite book characters and how it keeps reading an essential part of playtime.
Studies have shown that when children participate in pretend play related to a particular story they:
* Remember more events from the story
* Learn new words
* Can retell the stroy well, providing more details and descriptions [1]
Apart from the connection to reading and characters, playing dress-up encourages the development of fine motor skills. Zippers, buttons, Velcro… these are all tests for tiny fingers!
“Children are stretching their imaginations through different identities and occupations in dress-up and practising their gross and fine motor skills,” says Dr Karen Aronian, schoolteacher, professor, and the founder of Aronian Education Design [2].
Costumes don’t have to be elaborate store-bought creations. Parents can encourage children to dress-up by supplying ordinary objects that require a stretching of the imagination, such as scarves, costume jewellery, hats, glasses, dated clothing, purses, briefcases and gloves.
The next time parents recognise their children loving a particular character or make-believe universe, they should be creative and incorporate related props or costumes into playtime.
Schools and families will help children reach their greatest potential when they partner with Scholastic Australia!
Written by: Kimberly Cullinan, July 2024
[1] Rand, M. K. & Mandel Morrow, L. (2021). The Contribution of Play Experiences in Early Literacy: Expanding the Science of Reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(S1), S239–S248.
[2] Playing Dress-Up: Benefits, How to Start, and Tips. Kimberly Zapata (2020).
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/playing-dress-up