Toys that Encourage Pretend Play and Communication Skills
Stuffed animal or doll. New pretenders might enjoy feeding their teddy bear or doll with a toy spoon or putting a blanket over it so it can go to sleep. Experienced pretenders can have tea parties with several stuffed animals or dolls, or create a veterinarian’s office or hospital by placing stuffed animals or dolls in old shoe boxes which do double duty as beds!
Blocks and Lego. Children new to pretending might build something simple and familiar like a house or a garage for their favourite car. More experienced pretenders might pretend individual blocks are beds for the hospital or pieces of garbage for the garbage truck. Or they might enjoy creating elaborate scenes out of blocks, such as various buildings for a block “city”.
Toy food and dishes. Often a child’s first pretending involves food, such as feeding a stuffed animal or feeding mommy with a toy cup. More experienced pretenders can play restaurant, pretend to shop for toy food, have a birthday party, play pizza shop…the possibilities are endless!Vehicles. Keep things simple for new pretenders by demonstrating one simple action with
the vehicle, like pretending to fix it with a toy tool, or pretending to race two cars (one for you and one for your child). A shoe box with doors cut out at the ends makes a great pretend car wash. Small dolls can take a bus ride to the zoo.
the vehicle, like pretending to fix it with a toy tool, or pretending to race two cars (one for you and one for your child). A shoe box with doors cut out at the ends makes a great pretend car wash. Small dolls can take a bus ride to the zoo.
Playdough –New pretenders can make something simple and familiar, like a car or an apple. Make playdough food to serve on the toy dishes, then feed it to a stuffed animal. Or make playdough roads or tunnels for toy vehicles to drive on. Costumes and props for role play. Collect items from around your house for
children to dress up in and pretend to be someone (also called “role play”). Items can include old purses, ties, hats, aprons, shirts, or jewellery. And look for props to accompany such dress up play, such as an old cell phone, shopping bag, briefcase, etc.
children to dress up in and pretend to be someone (also called “role play”). Items can include old purses, ties, hats, aprons, shirts, or jewellery. And look for props to accompany such dress up play, such as an old cell phone, shopping bag, briefcase, etc.