Why Imaginative Play Matters (and Why It’s Okay if It Feels Hard)

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, we dive
into the magic of imaginative play - why it’s so important for
kids, and why it can feel surprisingly challenging for parents to
join in.


Dr. Becky explores how pretend play nurtures curiosity,
problem-solving, and emotional growth, giving children the space
to wonder, dream, and practice being in the world. But she also
normalizes the truth for many parents: stepping into a child’s
world of imagination isn’t always easy, and that doesn’t make you
a bad parent.


If you’ve ever felt guilty for not loving playtime, this episode
will change the way you see both yourself and your child’s
incredible capacity for imagination.


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For a full transcript of the episode, go to
goodinside.com/podcast.


This episode is brought to you by the Play-Doh brand. If you’re
anything like me, you’re running out of summer activity ideas for
your kids…Well, exciting news for parents everywhere: Good Inside
just teamed up with the Play-Doh brand to bring you a video
series on how to help kids build life-long skills like
imagination, confidence, and frustration tolerance - all through
open-ended play! The best part: I promise this isn’t another
thing to add to your already packed plate as a parent. No hours
of prep, no need for picture-perfect setups. All you need is a
Play-Doh can or two.


We also made a one-page cheat sheet with “5 Strategies for
Open-Ended Play” you can literally download and try today. (Full
disclosure: I printed the guide out and stuck it on my fridge as
a reminder for myself - after all, my kids get “mom” at home, not
Dr. Becky!) Head to walmart.com/playdoh to watch the video and
download the guide. That’s walmart.com/playdoh. I can’t wait to
hear what your kid creates.


Good Inside is growing up! Listen to The In-Between Years with
Dr. Sheryl, for parents of teens and tweens!


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