As toddlers grow, their imagination becomes a little superpower, helping them make sense of the world around them. One moment they’re chatting away on a toy phone, the next they’re “cooking” dinner in a play kitchen or looking after animals on a Little People® Caring for Animals Farm playset.

Through pretend play, they start to understand how things work and discover where they fit in.

Lisa Lohise, an early childhood expert and mother of two, knows all about the magic of make-believe. She says it’s not just fun; it’s a way for children to practise real-world skills in a world of their own creation. Toddlers might become farmers harvesting crops, veterinarians tending to stuffed animals, or racecar drivers zooming to victory. As they talk through their imaginary adventures, they are building language skills without even realising it.

Playing with other children adds another layer of learning. Whether they’re building forts, playing house, or choosing roles for a story, they’re learning to share, negotiate, and cooperate. Even games like pretend wrestling or chasing each other as sharks and minnows help children understand boundaries and develop self-control, all while having a blast.

Every child grows at their own pace, but there’s a rough roadmap for pretend play. Little ones around a year old might start imitating simple actions or using props in realistic ways, like making a pretend call on a toy phone. A few months later, they get creative, turning a banana into a phone or a block into a phone booth. By the age of two or three, they’re weaving little stories with multiple toys and acting out roles, sometimes with friends or family, creating adventures that actually make sense.

Pretend play is more than just fun; it gives toddlers a sense of purpose, confidence, and self-esteem. If your little one can put on a pair of boots, care for a whole farm of animals, and do all the chores on a playset, just imagine what else they can dream up next.

–ChannelAfrica–