Pretend play

What’s happening

Feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone shows real imagination taking shape — letting one thing represent another is a genuine cognitive leap, not just cute mimicry. Early pretend play usually starts by copying what they see you do (stirring a pot, talking on the phone) before it becomes more inventive.

How to support it

• Follow their lead rather than directing the play — this is their chance to be in charge.
• Simple props (a phone, a doll, kitchen toys) go further than elaborate ones; their imagination does the rest.
• Narrate their play back to them ('the baby's hungry, you're feeding her!') — it extends the story without taking it over.
• Let everyday objects double as props — a wooden spoon as a microphone counts as much as a real toy.