Around 18-months of age children start to incorporate pretending into their play. Prior to this, children tend to examine objects and their properties and play with them as they were intended. Pretend play is when children engage in make-believe activities where they create new symbolic relationships. For example, your child may use a broom to represent a horse or an old wrapping paper tube as a sword. Children around this age are also practicing their imitation and memory skills. For example, your child may imitate someone shaving their face by picking up a rectangular block, placing it against their cheek, and with quick up and down motions loudly exclaiming “buzz, buzz.” This imitation skill is important in helping children develop their memory abilities. Additionally, imitation skills allow children to explore their world in unique, creative ways which allows for innovative possibilities in the realm of play.
What creative uses has your child found for household objects and toys?
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
He likes to stir water and anything we’ll let him put into it in cups, or even in puddles of water, and pretend he is making soup! He’ll use straws, chopsticks or drumsticks to stir.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Dear Creative Play Plus
My colleague Kathy Maddock and I are Speech and Language Pathologists for the Department of Education in South Australia and would like permission to use your photo of the girl with the colondar on her head in our newly developed pamphlet for preschool parents that supports the development of language through play. Your photo is such a good representation of imaginary play without the need for expensive props!
Kind Regards
Christine McErlean
Speech Pathologist
Department of Education & Children’s Services
Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island Region
November 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
question - when do children begin pretending they are something else? My 21 month old pretends she is a puppy and brings me objects in her mouth. We don’t have a dog. she seems young for this kind of make believe.