What is an early sign of pretend play in a child?

Pretend play, also known as imaginative or symbolic play, typically emerges around 18 months to 2 years of age, which aligns with the choice of 24 months as an indication of an early sign of this developmental milestone. At this age, children begin to demonstrate their ability to use objects to represent something else, engage in role-playing scenarios, and imitate everyday actions or behaviors they observe in adults. This form of play is vital for cognitive development, as it allows children to explore social roles, practice problem-solving skills, and enhance their creativity.

At 18 months, children may show some early signs of pretend play, such as simple imitative actions but usually do not engage in more complex scenarios that involve role-playing. By 24 months, their ability to engage in imaginative play becomes more pronounced, including using a toy as a substitute for a real object (e.g., using a block as a phone) and beginning to act out themes from their experiences. Mastery of these skills continues to develop and become more sophisticated beyond the age of 2, culminating in more elaborate types of play by the age of 3 and beyond.