Why speech-language experts love pretend play
Decades of research has linked symbolic play to language development. Studies also show children are spending less of their playtime pretending than before. Here’s how you can encourage pretend play:
In this post:
- Article: 5 ways to build your child’s language skills through pretend play
- Activity: Get your 2-year-old talking with a game of “feed the baby”
- Activity: Let’s play pizza parlor
- Ask & Learn: My daughter has lost her interest in books and is now into more physical and pretend play. What can I do to keep up her reading habit?
5 ways to build your child’s language skills through pretend play
Pretend play is about more than just play—experts say it can be one of the best ways to get your 2-year-old talking. Research shows that children who participate in more pretend play have larger vocabularies and stronger communication skills. Why? Imaginative play encourages them—and you—to say new words and phrases as you act out scenarios together.
Try these tips to boost language skills as you play pretend with your toddler:
1. Use vivid language
If your child is cleaning a mirror using the Squeaky Clean Squeegee Set, you can say, “The mirror is so dirty,” “This spot is sticky,” or “Oh no! You got all wet!”
2. Ask “wh-” questions
Ask your child who, what, and where to encourage them to think critically and use language to express their thoughts. If your child is pretending to be a firefighter, try saying, “There’s a fire. What do we need? We need…water! Let’s get water!”
3. Start a story—and let your child finish
For example, you could say, “Once upon a time, there was a magical unicorn who loved to explore. Where did the unicorn go?”
4. Change the words to a familiar song
When your child is washing the dishes in the Super Sustainable Sink, sing to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”—“It’s time to wash the plates, it’s time to wash the plates, the plates are dirty and need a bath, it’s time to wash the plates.”
5. Encourage role play
When your child pretends to be someone else—like a mom or dad—they have to think about what the character would say or do. They might pretend to grab their coat and purse to leave the house, imitate you on a work call, or mimic how you browse and shop at the grocery store. Role playing encourages them to repeat words they’ve heard.
Get your 2-year-old talking with a game of “feed the baby”
Set up a pretend mealtime scenario using the Pinkies Up Picnic Set and The Organic Cotton Baby Doll. Use the cups and spoons to “feed” the baby as you talk—for example, you can ask your child whether they think the baby is still hungry or what to feed them next. This activity encourages more advanced language and helps your child practice following and giving directions.
Let’s play pizza parlor
Top the Wooden Stacking Pegboard with dots from the Drop & Match Dot Catcher to build a pretend pizza—without the mess 😉 Introduce new nouns and practice color words as you pile ingredients on top: “I like green peppers and yellow onions.”
For an additional challenge, invite your child to walk the pizza to a nearby shelf or cushion to “put it in the oven.” The dots will slide around on the smooth base, so encourage them to use slow and focused movements.
What parents are asking our experts…
“My daughter has lost her interest in books and is now into more physical and pretend play. What can I do to keep up her reading habit?”
Answer:
It’s very common for toddlers to have strong preferences that change over time. Her interest in books isn’t gone forever—she’s just more interested in other things for now. Keep books accessible in her environment and offer them as a choice as part of your usual routines. You can try reading to her during mealtimes or suggest she read to her stuffed animals. However, if she opts for a song rather than a book before bed, embrace her choice. Toddlers love exerting control and independence, so avoiding a power struggle will likely help this phase pass more smoothly ❤️
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Learn more about the research:
Weisberg, D. S., Zosh, J. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2013). Talking it up: play, language development, and the role of adult support. American Journal of Play, 6(1), 39-54.Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., Baum, R., et al. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3).
Posted in: Language & Communication