Pretend Play - How To Spark Your Toddler’s Imagination

As your little one grows, their imagination is where they start to make sense of the world, how it all works, and the different roles grownups can play. From babbling on a toy phone, to “cooking” dinner in their play kitchen, or looking after the animals on the Little People® Caring for Animals Farm playset, pretend play helps your toddler learn how the real world works and how they might fit into it.

As an early childhood development expert and mom of two, Lisa Lohise has got a ton of frequent flyer miles to the land of make-believe. But in case it’s been a little while since you’ve visited, she shares what you can expect as your little one grows, as well as some tips to help spark their imagination.

Why is pretend play important?

Pretend play lets toddlers explore the world around them in the comfort and wonder of their imagination. They can pretend to be a farmer harvesting crops, a veterinarian caring for their stuffed animal, or a racecar driver who wins the big race. The possibilities are endless! As they describe what’s happening in their pretend scenario, your toddler is developing valuable language skills that help them speak, understand, and use words meaningfully.

When your little one plays with other kids, they further develop their language skills, as well as social and problem-solving skills. Whether they’re building a fort or choosing roles to play house, playing together helps kids learn how to compromise, negotiate, and share. Pretend play also encourages self-regulation and important emotions. Kids who have pretend wrestling matches or play sharks & minnows are learning impulse control and how to set and respect boundaries.

Pretend play timeline for toddlersEvery child develops at their own pace. So, this is just a general timeline.

12-18 months Imitates simple actions that they have observed adults doing

12-18 months Uses props in realistic ways as they play, like making a pretend call on their toy phone

16-24 months Uses props in unexpected ways as they play, like pretending a banana is a phone

24-30 months Engages in thematic pretend play with multiple objects and actions

24-36 months Imagines themselves as other things or people during play

30-36 months Plays make-believe with you and others where the stories make sense

Your little one finds meaning and purpose through pretend play, which helps build their confidence and self-esteem. If they can put on a pair of boots and and take care of all the animals, and do all their chores on the Little People® Caring for Animals Farm playset, what else can they do?