Pretend Together
Parent observes and joins child in social-imaginative play: using objects in pretend play with another person, copying adult play behaviors, and independent sustained play. Covers three play milestones at 24-30mo. Three phases: parent models pretend action, shared joint play scenario, and stepping back to observe child-initiated extension.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Gather a doll or stuffed animal, a cup, a spoon, and a small blanket. Sit on the floor facing child. Have optional blocks or toy vehicle within reach. Do NOT start playing before the agent prompts — we need to observe each phase separately.
How it works
- 1~40s
Pick up the doll and do one pretend action clearly and slowly — rock it, feed it with the spoon, or cover it with the blanket. Say 'watch me!' as you do it. Then hand the doll and the materials to your child and step back. What does your child do? Does they copy what you did? Add a pretend action of their own? Or use the materials in a non-pretend way? Tell me exactly.
Watch for: Child imitates an adult's pretend action with an object (rocking doll, feeding doll, covering with blanket)
- 2~60s
Now invite your child into a shared pretend scenario. Try one of these: 'Can you help me feed the baby?' and hold the spoon out, or 'Let's build a house together' with the blocks, or 'The baby is cold — can you help me?' while holding the blanket. Stay in the scenario with your child. Does they join the shared pretend and keep it going for more than 1 or 2 turns? What happens after you invite them in?
Watch for: Child uses objects in pretend play together with another person — engages in shared scenario across multiple turns
- 3~90s
After 2-3 minutes of playing together, gradually step back. Stop initiating new turns — just respond warmly if your child brings something to you, but don't prompt. Watch for 60-90 seconds. Does your child continue the pretend scenario alone — talking to the doll, doing another action? Or does they look for you, bring objects to you, or stop playing? Tell me what they does.
Watch for: Child sustains or extends a pretend scenario independently after adult steps back — and/or re-invites adult back in