Let’s Make the Holidays Count Building Language Through Pretend Play

1. Let’s Make the Holidays Count: Building Language Through Pretend Play The Magic of Holidays: More Than Just Rest and Play As therapists, we often hear parents say, “It’s the holidays, let them just play.”

2. And we couldn’t agree more exceptwe like to add a little twist: play with purpose. The November and December holidays can feel long for parents, especially when routines fade and screen time starts to take over. But what if those weeks could be more than just a break from school? What if they became an opportunity for your child to grow their language,thinking,and imagination, all while having fun? That’s exactly what our Language Stimulation Through PretendPlay programmeis designed for. Why PretendPlay Is Serious Learning(Disguisedas Fun) At Total Communication, we know that play is the language of children. It’s how they make sense of their world, express emotions, and build the foundationfor later academicsuccess. Pretend play develops: 1. Vocabulary and sentence structure — role-playing introducesnew wordsand ways to use them. 2. Social thinking and emotional understanding — learning to take turns, read expressions, and show empathythroughplay. 3. Listening and comprehension — following pretend scenarioshelps children process and respond meaningfully. 4. Flexible thinking and problem-solving — kids can adaptto different scenarios and face problemsin a safe environment. As therapists, we’ve seen first-hand how play transforms hesitant communicators into confident storytellers. It’s in the moments of pouring“tea” for a stuffed rabbit, building a pretend zoo, or playing “chef” in a toy kitchen that languagetruly comes alive. ProgrammeSnapshot Programme Name: Language Stimulation Through Pretend Play Age Group: 4-7 years

3. Duration: 4 weeks (2 sessions per week) Session Length: 2 hours each Format: Small group,play-based therapysessions This isn’t a typical classroom setup. Each session is thoughtfully curated to immerse children in interactive storytelling, hands-on play, craft-based learning, and guided thinking - all within a nurturing environment. ProgrammeGoals Our holiday programmefocuses on bothlanguage and cognitive development, so children grow in multiple areas at once. Language Goals Cognitive Goals  Vocabulary expansion (emotions, actions, categories)  Imagination and sym bolic play  WH-questions (who, what, where, why) Emotional recognition and expression  Sentence building using visuals and modelling  Flexible thinking and problem-solving  Use of connector and transition words  Joint attention and turn-taking  Following multi-step instructions  Early inferencing and dynamic thinking Weekly Themes: Where Every Story Sparks Learning

4. Week Theme Focus Area Week 1 Supermarket Adventures Categorisation, requesting, describing items Week 2 Restaurant & Kitchen Play Sequencing steps, verbs, turn-taking dialogue Week 3 Zoo & Vet Clinic WH-questions, problem-solving in scenarios Week 4 Community Helpers Vocabulary groups, simple sentences, following directions Eachsessionflowsthrough a rhythm: ? Storytelling → ? Pretend play → ✂️ Craft or game → ? Reflection and home ideas This structure ensures that languageand cognitionare naturally reinforced, not forced. What Your Child Will Gain Confidence in communication – expressing ideas, emotions,and needs clearly. Cognitive flexibility – learning to adaptand think on their feet. Better social language – initiating, maintaining,and endingconversationsappropriately. Joy in learning – discovering that communication can befun and meaningful. By the end of the programme, children don’t just leave with new words, they leave with new ways to think, connect, and express themselves.

5. From a Therapist’sLens When we designed this programme,our goalwas simple: to make the holidays enriching without feeling like “extra classes.” Each theme is crafted with therapeutic intention. We observe how a child expresses ideas, scaffold their language, and help them connectthought toword and word to emotion. As therapists, we act as mediators of meaning, guiding each child to see patterns, find words for feelings, and discover the power of communicationin everyday play. And the best part? Parents often tell us that after just a few sessions, their child starts narrating play scenes at home, initiating conversations,and even using new phrasesnaturally. Why This HolidayProgrammeMatters The long November–December break is the perfect window for developmental growth. Without school pressures, children are more open,imaginative, and ready to absorbnew skills. Instead of filling time with worksheets or screens, let this holiday be a season of meaningful play where language blooms, confidence rises, and thinking sharpensthroughfun. Ready to Give Your Child the Gift of Communication This Holiday? Join our 4-week Language Stimulation Through Pretend Play Programme. Limited slots available for small-group sessions. ? Call/WhatsApp: +65 9115 8895 ? Email: enquiries@totalcommunication.com.sg ? Visit: Enrichment Programmesfor kids in Singapore | Total Communication