When a young child engages in dramatic play -- especially that which involves running, jumping and climbing -- his physical stamina, strength and health benefit. Dramatic play that involves chasing, such as cops and robbers, encourages him to exercise large muscles and develops breath stamina. The Scholastic website even refers to studies that have shown that "roughhouse" play, which kids often engage in when they develop dramatic scenarios, helps them develop the portion of the brain devoted to self-monitoring; rather than encourage aggressive behavior, physical dramatic play actually helps kids learn to curb their aggression.
Productive thinking isn't simply a matter of memorizing facts and figures to regurgitate on standardized tests. Kids develop critical thinking through engaging in activities that require them to develop problem-solving skills. From setting up imaginative scenarios that include problems such as what to do about a pretend baby who won't stop crying to navigating the rules of playing family within a group, a child learns crucial skills related to solving problems. Preschool children especially can use interaction within dramatic play scenarios to build their vocabulary and language skills. Kids who use the toys and dress-up clothes offered at their classroom's dramatic play center also develop cognitively through planning and organizing invented characters and interactions.
Many of a child's dramatic play opportunities involve interacting and cooperating with others. Kids who decide to play "family" together must agree upon who will play what part and what story they will dramatize; children must learn to sometimes put their own desires aside for the sake of the group. Dramatic play provides an opportunity to gain confidence in social interaction. When kids play games pretending to be "teacher and students" or "mom and babies," they are also practicing for future social roles.
Kids can use dramatic play to practice emotions. Children pretend to be angry or sad during dramatic play and when the play focuses on pretend emotional situations, they can safely witness strong emotions demonstrated by their peers. They can learn how to react to emotions such as sadness or anger when they are exhibited by others and begin to understand how others feel, laying the groundwork for developing empathy.