It's a common misconception that pretend play is frivolous and doesn't contribute to a child's overall development. On the contrary, pretend play is central to social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Children can use pretend play to explore an experience that is confusing or frightening, as well as to expand their creativity and curiosity. Children often use pretend play to work out challenging events, such as starting a new school, visiting the doctor, or family conflicts.
Pretend play is more than simple play activities; it often requires advanced thinking, organizing, communication, and conflict resolution. Children can learn to do things like negotiate, compromise, transfer knowledge from one situation to another, develop a plan of action, explore symbols, express ideas, assign tasks and roles, and integrate information. These are the skills required to be successful in most occupations of the adult world. Children need to practice these skills repetitively.
How we interact with others is vital to our lifelong success and happiness. Knowing how to read social cues, recognize and regulate emotions, negotiate, take turns, and engage in a long-term activity that is mutually beneficial is essential to success in life. The creative problem solving required by pretend play can be used in all areas of cognition. Children need opportunities to blend their skills and knowledge together. Pretend play is an ideal way to do this!