Pretend/Symbolic Play
The child begins to imitate actions seen or heard about and to build on these experiences to create new ones. Using theme environments (farms, airports, drive-through restaurants) helps the child to re-create experiences and routines. Language is developed through these experiences.

Props (miniatures of real life objects) are used throughout the play experiences of a child to enhance imagination.

As children get older, the representational objects get increasingly abstract- i.e. the child uses a peg for a bottle.

• describes what is taking place and promote dramatic happenings

• introduces new objects/ideas to expand play routines

• asks questions: where is he going after MacD's? "good guys and bad guys" are introduced

• demonstrates combining construction and props to create new environments