Make-believe is integral to a child's development, and the more open-ended the resources, the greater the scope for imaginative play, says Helen Bromley.

Early years practitioners will be familiar with the term 'role play'. Most settings will have a designated area where children can recreate a whole range of experiences - from being a member of a family, tending to an injured animal or travelling into outer space.

This kind of play is integral to childhood and role play deserves to be given high status by adults, not least because it provides a meaningful context for a wide range of learning and teaching opportunities. If used to its full potential, a role-play area will offer children the chance to learn across the whole EYFS curriculum.

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Practice Enabling Environments Equipment and Resources