The Nature of Pretend Play

Pretend play involves playful behavior that operates on the premise of situations differing from their literal reality. It is distinguished from non-pretend forms of play such as tag or kickball, where the activities are taken literally. This playful behavior thence becomes a platform for children to experiment with their imaginations and express creativity, allowing them to engage in actions that do not reflect the actual properties of objects being used. For instance, when a child pretends that a TV remote is a phone, they embody a mental understanding of substitution, showcasing the foundational aspect of imaginative play.