Skill· 3y–4y· 3 min
Imaginary Restaurant
Parent and child create a pretend restaurant together, assigning roles, serving imaginary food, and acting out a restaurant story. The agent coaches the parent to observe the child's imaginative thinking, ability to mix real and fantasy elements, and sequencing of pretend play narratives — building cognitive flexibility and narrative skills.
Free to do together whenever you like.
What you'll need
Parent and child in a comfortable play space. Can use stuffed animals, pretend dishes, or just imagination. No specific materials required — can be adapted to what's available.
How it works
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneAdds a sequenced storylineMind· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneCreates pretend small world stories with toysMind· 3y–4y· stretch
- MilestonePlans a pretend scenarioMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAssigns roles in shared playHeart· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneNames objects from memoryMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 2
Visual example
Coming soon