As your child grows, their imagination is where they begin to understand the world, explore how it functions, and learn about the various roles adults play. From pretending to chat on a toy phone to “making” a cup of coffee with their play kitchen, pretend play is essential for helping young children make sense of their surroundings and discover their own place in the world.
Dr. Lisa Lohiser, Manager of Early Childhood Development Research at the Fisher-Price Play Lab and a mother of two, is an expert in the world of make-believe. Here, she shares valuable insights into why pretend play is crucial, as well as tips to help your child’s imagination soar.
Why Is Pretend Play Important?
Pretend play allows children to explore their environment safely, giving them the freedom to experiment with different roles and scenarios. Through this type of play, they can become a farmer harvesting crops, a vet caring for a stuffed animal, or a friendly barista. The possibilities are endless, and so are the learning opportunities.
When children engage in pretend play, they develop valuable language skills. As they describe what’s happening in their imaginary world, they learn to communicate, understand, and use words in context. This form of play also nurtures emotional skills, like self-regulation and empathy. For example, children who engage in pretend wrestling or other active games are learning impulse control and respecting boundaries, all while building their confidence and self-esteem.
Tips to Encourage Pretend Play
Here are some ideas to support your toddler’s journey into the magical world of pretend play:
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Introduce New Experiences: Take your child on mini-adventures to expand their play possibilities. A trip to a coffee shop, a day out at the zoo, or even a weekend camping trip can open up whole new worlds of play and imagination.
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Prepare for Big Events Through Play: Use pretend play to rehearse for upcoming events, such as going on holiday or starting school. “Practicing” these experiences with toys can help your child feel more comfortable and confident when the real event happens.
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Spark Their Imagination with Story Starters: Encourage their creativity with simple prompts, like, “Is your teddy bear thirsty? Do they want a cup of coffee too?” or, “Can you make us a picnic?” By prompting with questions, you can invite your child to develop their own scenarios.
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Choose Toys That Encourage Role Play: Children are more likely to dive into pretend play when they have toys that mirror real-life items, like toy kitchen appliances or pretend doctor’s kits. These items help children see the connection between play and the real world.
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Join the Fun: Help expand your child’s pretend play by joining in with elaborate stories, rich language, and fun props. For instance, “camp out” in the living room by building a tent and “roasting” marshmallows around a pretend fire. Playing together can deepen their understanding of storytelling and emotional expression.
The Stages of Pretend Play Development
The development of pretend play begins early. Around 9–12 months, you might notice your child mimicking simple actions, such as tapping on a toy laptop or cuddling a doll. By about two years old, children begin to play out more detailed scenes and roles, imitating actions they see adults perform daily, like a parent feeding a baby or a doctor examining a patient.
A Top Choice for Imaginative Play
To inspire hours of imaginative play, Fisher-Price’s Laugh & Learn™ Learn & Serve Coffee Café is a fantastic choice for toddlers 18 months and up. This interactive barista station is designed like a real espresso machine, complete with ten role-play accessories. It features over 100 songs, sounds, and phrases, teaching the alphabet, colours, shapes, and more as children “brew” drinks for their “customers.” With Fisher-Price’s Smart Stages® technology, the toy adapts as your child grows, offering multiple levels of play.
Incorporating pretend play into your child’s routine helps them develop language, social, and emotional skills that are vital for their overall growth. By encouraging them to explore and imagine, you’re giving them the tools they need to understand the world, build confidence, and develop lifelong skills.
