Engages in Pretend Play
Child takes on roles and uses objects symbolically in imaginative play.
Ages 24–54 months
Why it matters
In pretend play a child becomes a parent, a doctor, or a dog, and a block becomes a phone. This symbolic thinking is the seedbed of literacy, empathy, and problem-solving: children rehearse real life, negotiate roles with others, and give shape to feelings through story.
What mastery looks like
- Takes on a familiar role and sustains it through several actions, such as feeding and rocking a doll.
- Uses an object to stand in for something else, such as a block for a phone.
- Plays out a short sequence or simple story, alone or with others.
How to observe it
- Does the child narrate their play, giving voices or intentions to characters?
- How does the child handle sharing roles or props with a play partner?
Accessibility
- Offer familiar, easy-to-grasp props and model simple roles for children who need an entry point into pretend.
Activities
Evidence
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (4th ed.) — National Association for the Education of Young Children · 2022 · National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Early Atlas