Symbolic Play and Preschool Development: What Make-Believe Tells Us
Symbolic (pretend) play and preschool play
Developmental anchors for scenes with make-believe, props, and peer play—drawn from your reference notes.
Development of symbolic play
| Age | Self or other centered (decentration) | Decontextualization (substitution) | Integration (organized play) | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | Make-believe actions are centered on the self, usually when the child is alone; involves familiar rituals from daily life. | One object is substituted for another in a realistic manner (for example, washcloth for blanket). | Random play activities without a theme (for example, all kitchen- or truck-oriented). | Use media to show daily activities like baths, eating, dressing. |
| 18 months | Inanimate objects are recipients of make-believe play actions. | Substituted objects are less realistic by function and/or appearance (for example, block for phone). | Pairing of related activities by a single scheme. | Use media to expand on daily rituals like cooking, washing dishes, putting things away, or themes like outside and inside, sleep and awake. |
| 24 months | Inanimate objects initiate and receive make-believe actions. | Substituted objects bear no resemblance to the target object’s function (for example, hand for phone). | Multi-scheme combinations. |
Preschool children: general characteristics and play materials
Age 2
General: Uses language effectively and large muscle skills. Energetic and enthusiastic with a need to demonstrate independence and self-control; some difficulty with stubbornness and negativity (tantrums).
Play materials: Swings, steps, ride-on toys, pull and push toys, castles, tents, water play, bubbles.
Age 3
General: Expanded fantasy life with unrealistic fears (monsters). Fascination with adult roles. More malleable and beginning to produce things through play. Better at sharing, waiting turn, cooperating.
Play materials: Props for imaginative/dramatic play, kitchens, tool benches, mowers, fire trucks, puzzles, art materials (play dough).
Age 4
General: More secure and self-confident. Wants adult approval. More planful but products are often accidental. Much improved small muscle control. Models similar to parent.
Play materials: Vehicles, art materials including painting, sewing, beads, building materials, books with themes beyond the child’s real world.
Age 5
General: Stable, predictable, and more other-centered. Early signs of logical thinking. Willing to share and cooperative with peers.
Play materials: Cut and paste, work from models, simple card and board games of chance (not strategy), elaborate props for imaginative play with peers.
From Children, Play, and Development 4th Edition, Fergus Hughes, copyright 2010 by Sage Publications (as cited in author notes).
