How does a mermaid tail promote social and language skills?

This is the question a friend asked me recently after she spent some time on LivingPlaying.com. She was viewing our Dress Up & Playhouses category and noticed the Mermaid Tail And Crown dress up set. She also noticed the icon for social and language skills. "How," she asked, "does a mermaid tail aid in such important skill development?" It's a valid question, and the answer is not terribly obvious, I suppose.

Pretend or dramatic play is a complex process which takes root at about 1 to 2 years old, but becomes more obvious and interactive past the age of 3. Where a 2 year old might imitate his parents actions (i.e. cooking or cleaning) a 4 year old will include props and other children in his more complicated scenario (a dinner party). Children practice and learn developmental skills through play. They learn how to interact with other children and adults while engaging in pretend play.

But how would a costume aid in social and language skills? When children try on or create costumes, they are trying on the rules and personas of the world around them. They get to decide how to use a costume to express themselves. They can create roles and rules for others. But in order to do these things, children need to learn how to successfully respond to or communicate feelings or wishes. In other words, kids need to use their words or body to make themselves understood.

In addition, as children explore a fantasy, they also have the opportunity to seek out the language to express that fantasy. This is where parental verbal support aids in development. Your child says "Mommy, I'm a mermee! I can swim!" and you say "Oh! Are you a mermaid? Do you live in the ocean? Do you have scales on your tail?" And the child's fantasy is enriched by your encouragement and suggestions. You hear her use the word scales and listen as she tells you that hers are magical and help her swim faster in the ocean. Her playdate is now her mermaid sister and they are searching for a place to live.

Makes you want to be a kid again, doesn't it? :)