If you have sons, nephews or children in your care, you have certainly noticed how easy it is to dress up as a princess, superhero or any other character you admire. The use of fantasies never fails as an element of fun during childhood (or even after it, in many cases).
Children generally love to fantasise. Children do not understand racism, sexism, and so on. They simply see a fantasy they like, which stimulates their imagination, and they already dream of dressing up with it, visiting magical worlds in which they are very happy.
So, if the child wants to fantasize, let her do it. Think that this practice does her a lot of good. In full development, the fantasy experience is very interesting and offers very positive psychological benefits, as we will see below.
It certainly does not have to be Carnival or Halloween for the child to use fantasies during his childhood. In fact, this is a tool widely used in children’s schools, which proves how great technologies are not necessary when it comes to generating stimuli that contribute to the development of the little ones.
Fantasies in childhood: the child, imitation and the imagination
Children learn a lot through imitation. They pay attention to everything around them and try to do the same. That’s why, when they dress up as a bird, they will feel like they are flying and will want to sing.
Parents are examples to be imitated by their children. Without a doubt, the fantasy of dad or mum can teach them to be more self-sufficient and responsible. Sometimes this can be done simply by putting on Dad’s shoes or wearing Mum’s dress.
However, it is important for the child to choose his or her own fantasy. If it is not possible (as in the case of fantasies that are part of school dynamics, for example), we can introduce the idea gradually before the occasion, and we can cover their faces so that they don’t feel exposed or see themselves completely transformed, becoming more at ease.
Role play
From his birth, the child begins a long trajectory of personality development. Along the way, he discovers various roles until he finds his own voice in his own environment.
Fantasies help children get to know various roles: protective and courageous superheroes, friendly animals, princes and princesses in fairy tales, responsible and generous doctors, etc. From this, they will gather ideas that will help to form their own personalities.
Stimulates the imagination
The most interesting benefit is this. The child learns to be more creative and to improve his or her imaginative capacity. When she fantasizes, as we have commented, she believes she is a father, a puppy, a doctor, a dragon, a bird, a mother, etc.
Nowadays, creativity is a skill much in demand all over the world. This goes beyond artistic skills. Finding creative ways to solve problems and face life’s difficulties is always indispensable in many areas, both personal and professional.
Emotional development
Fantasy also promotes better emotional development. A child in fantasy can find and imagine other perspectives since these fantasies allow them to live other lives, to be in touch with their feelings and emotions, and definitely to be more empathic with other ways of seeing the world.
It prevents the child from feeling embarrassed or becoming too shy
Not all children use the same strategies to face their fears. Using fantasies in childhood can be a good option, especially for those who are very shy. In this way, the characteristics of the fantasies can be incorporated into their own personalities, benefiting their social and personal development.
Let us think of a child who is shy and incapable of facing adversity. Perhaps a Superman or Wonder Woman fantasy, for example, can make her feel the confidence she needs to move on.
Developing empathy
Through the use of fantasies, we can also stimulate the development of empathy in children. By incorporating the roles of other characters, they can learn to behave, regulate their emotions and relate. In this way, they better understand others, interact socially in a proper way and understand other people’s problems.
Improved communication skills
The child, by feeling more secure, faces fewer communication problems. In addition, they acquire a more appropriate vocabulary for the character they usually play. In this way, he learns other words, uses different language codes from those he normally uses, discovers new ways of solving conflicts, etc.
Sociability
The child’s fantasy represents an interesting way for the child to interact with other children, with friends, with relatives, etc. For example, if everyone dresses up as a policeman, situations of friendly dialogue or requiring collaboration can be staged.
Children’s fantasy is a very interesting element in human development. It can be a way of learning, getting to know other perspectives and, of course, of making the little ones enjoy themselves while discovering professions, business, hobbies, the animal and vegetable kingdom, etc.
