What exactly is small world play and why is it important for kids?

Small world play is a form of play that nurtures the imagination through the use of toys or other materials to play out a scene. Scenarios can be inspired by real life, imagination or even a story. There are no limitations with this form of play; it is the perfect way for your child to explore their imagination and foster creativity, while developing important life skills at the same time.

Small world play can be introduced to children as young as 2 years old as a play-alone activity, or as part of their interactions with other children. According to Little Worlds Big Adventures, some skill sets that can be developed through small world play include:

· Emotional Development
· Personal & Social Skills
· Reasoning, Problem Solving & Numeracy
· Language Development
· Understanding the World 

What should be included in a small world?

Notably, children do not need an abundance of resources or materials to engage in small world play. Imagination and creativity go a long way!

It's easy for little ones to become overwhelmed and distracted, so if you're introducing your child to small world play for the first time, it's best to start off with limited resources to encourage a more self-directed style of play.

Open-ended toys are wonderful companions for small world play as their versatility allows children to incorporate them in a multitude of ways. 

What open-ended toys can be used for small world play and how?

· Building Blocks (Grimm's, Glueckskaefer, Just Blocks, Bikeho)
Yesterday they were a house, today they're a castle and tomorrow they could be a city of skyscrapers.

· Sarah's Silks
With a variety of sizes, colours and designs available, playsilks can used as a backdrop, a landscape or even as a makeshift river!

· Figurines (CLiCQUES, Predan, Ostheimer, Maileg, Ambrosius)
Figurines such as people and animals can play different roles in different scenes. A family at the seaside, a group of superheroes, a zookeeper and her animals, astronauts heading off to Mars, jungle explorers...what adventures will your children think up for their figurines?  

· Vehicles (Candylab, Lubulona, Beck, Weizenkorn)
Toy cars and their accessories (such a Beck roadsigns and Waytoplay Flexible Roads) can be used in many different small world play scenes that can be altered each time to be unique.

Does my child need fancy toys to enjoy small world play?

The great thing about small world play is that children have the imagination and capacity to create magical worlds with everyday objects. In a child's hands, a stick can become a magic wand and a pebble can become an animal or a car. A toilet roll makes an excellent tunnel and a scrap of fabric can be transformed into a river or a lake. Children do not need specific toys or materials to create small world scenes. Encourage your little ones to incorporate everyday items into their next playtime and watch their imaginations blossom. Resources you can use include:

· Elements of Nature (pebbles, shells, leaves, flowers)
· Recycled Goods (shoeboxes, cereal boxes, toilet rolls)
· Sensory Elements (water, ice, rice, sand)
· Cotton Balls
· Popsicle Sticks
· Tea Towels

What are some small world play themes?

Let your child pick their own theme. They may pick something that they have recently learnt about or experienced, such as a farm. By providing your child with the opportunity to re-enact certain scenes or experiences, you are assisting them in further developing their understanding of the world and of themselves in the world, as well as giving them an opportunity to explore feelings and emotions associated with their experiences. 

On the other hand, small world play can provide an opportunity for your child to escape into a fantasy world that exists only in their imagination. You might notice that the play starts as one thing and quickly evolves into something else. Follow your child's lead and give them the freedom to take their play in different directions. 

Some ideas for small world play themes include:

· A day at the beach
· A magical fairy garden
· A busy city
· A farm
· A forest
·  Under the sea (Why not add some blue food colouring to the water during bath-time, or using a sink or tub?) 
· Your child's favourite book or movie (take a look at how Allie's little girl re-created Frozen here)