Why pretend play is important for children?

Children’s play might demonstrate more benefits than we thought and might be the foundation of their life. Playing is an intrinsically satisfying activity which is essential for their development, such as cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being. It will allow children to emerge their cognitive schemes in action while practicing and strengthen their competencies. Toddlers who are 18 to 24 months old may develop pretend play or symbolic play which is the most exciting breakthrough in play activities. 

Pretend play or symbolic play is known and burgeoned during Piaget’s preoperational period. It is a structured form of playing which normally includes role-plays and object substitution. When children act in pretend play, they are strengthening and integrating previously obtained knowledge and able to express their desires and fears. This is because this type of playing represents a safe setting environment for them. The ability to play in a symbolic play may begin around 11 to 13 months of age which might be the earliest and simplest, such as eating, drinking or sleeping. But by the age of 18 to 24 months, infants will be able to progress their ability to perform multiple acts in a play with a meaningful sequence. Children can collaborate and coordinate their actions with their playmate. They might be able to mimic each other and sometimes they may have the ability of cooperating to achieve a goal. 

There are numerous advantages of symbolic playing. Children may feel encouraging for their creativity and imagination. It will also maximize their capacity for cognitive flexibility. Their language and communication skills will be improved through pretend play. In this setting, children will communicate to their parents or friends and be able to explain what they are thinking which leads to developing their thinking, learning and problem-solving skills. Children often demonstrate more advanced intellectual skills during pretend play than performing other activities. It fosters cognitive, social and emotional development. Fisher’s study (1992) suggests that children who are engaged in a great amount of pretend play perform better on cognitive development tests, language skills and creativity than children who “pretend” less often. Hence, symbolic play for children is crucial. 

From all the benefits mentioned above, parents or primary caregivers may be an important person who can play with and support our own children. Knowing how essential it is, primary caregivers should not ignore or think that this kind of play is useless or a waste of time. Parents could be the very first children’s playmate and support their imagination. Parents might be able to teach their kids through playing and have a better communication or interpersonal understanding of their children even more. 

In conclusion, pretend play is able to foster healthy emotional development by allowing children to express their feelings. It might bother them or to resolve their emotional conflicts. 

Parents should not neglect the importance of this type of play because it will enhance their holistic ability and children will grow up with a greater foundation in life. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Fisher, E. P. (1992). The impact of play on development: A meta-analysis. Play and Culture, 5, 

159–181. 

Johnsen, E. P. (1991). Searching for the social and cognitive outcomes of children’s play: A 

selective second look. Play and Culture, 4, 201–213. 

Piaget, J. (1970b). Piaget’s theory. In P. H. Mussen (Ed.), Carmichael’s manual of child 

psychology (Vol. 1). New York: Wiley. 

Piaget, J. (1962). Play, dreams, and imitation in childhood. New York: Norton.