Dress Up [winter break suggestion]

Ah, yes!  The age-old game of dress up.  Children are able to amuse themselves for hours in Mommy or Daddy's closet (if we let them!)  But why?

WHAT:

• Daddy shoes and slippers, Mommy shoes and slippers,
• Sport jackets,
• Dresses, half slips, full slips, stoles and wraps,
• Purses and bags, and hats of all kinds,
• Shirts and an a sundry of other clothing articles.
• A mirror or anything that has a reflective surface (this is important!) 

WHY:

Dress-ups support children as they begin to identify with mommy or daddy.  It supports a child’s need to be powerful and autonomous ... "I can choose what or who I want to be!"

Dress-up play helps children sort out the rules of life and they act them out.  It enhances the imagination.  During dress-up play, children are able to make and break their own identity in a manner that is safe and protected.  They can "try-on" another persona without consequence.  Parents and caregivers should let children experiment with a range of clothes and characters during dress-up play - the child should feel in-control of who they are!