by smusamashah on 8/22/21, 10:34 AM
As a kid I remember that my imagination was way more strong and vivid. When pretend playing e.g. being a pilot of a plane with my cousin , it felt good as if we were doing it in real. Of course we didn't know what the real thing was like. But it did evoke strong visual fantasy feelings.
I got the same feelings reading books with lots of colorful cartoons and things. I use to have a book with characters doing something with icecream so tall it's coming from helicopter or something. They all used to feel SOLID and REAL. Then I grew up and found that book again after many years. I couldn't see those characters and things as real objects anymore.
I haven't read this pdf but I believe other kids do it for the same. Imagination is strong and they could do and be anything pretending.
by robbrown451 on 8/21/21, 9:10 PM
Seems like the most obvious answer is that the child is practicing/training for future real world situations they will encounter.
In the days before TV etc, what was the alternative? Sitting there with their minds blank? It seems obvious that pretend play helps them develop their minds and capabilities.
by Thorentis on 8/21/21, 10:04 PM
I know the whole "children back in my day" thing occurs for every generation, but I seriously think there was some kind of turning point or singularity that accelerated decline with the advent of the smartphone. Pretend play, learning to have fluent spoken conversation, regulating emotions with other people, negotiating - all replaced with screen time and online-only interactions that humans are not adapted for.
by simplicio on 8/22/21, 1:53 AM
When I had my first kid, I was pretty surprised how early she started "pretending". Before my daughter could say more then a few words, before her motor skills were developed enough to do more then pick up and drop small her toys, etc. she was already moving her toys around like they were real animals, pretending to feed them, etc. She couldnt have had much understanding of the real world before she started making an imagined one.
by codyogden on 8/22/21, 5:39 AM
by DesiLurker on 8/22/21, 8:11 AM
I think they are just reliving different versions of stories/scenarios they know and their mind is just filling up the gaps.
by watwut on 8/21/21, 9:37 PM
Based on my observation, it is training for future negotiations. Pretend play is a lot of negotiating and less playing.
by xyzzy21 on 8/22/21, 4:25 AM
The brain is a "prediction machine" that uses experiences to build the model of the outside world. Play is how you train that model for situations you can't or haven't experienced but are likely very critical.
The example given is how you practice and learn empathy by playing another person. It can also be used to practice and learn physical traits of inanimate things as if they were animate behaviors.
by wly_cdgr on 8/22/21, 1:31 AM
I never did & I resent the claim that it's universal
by mdeck_ on 8/22/21, 6:58 AM
The title here needs a (2017)
by ardit33 on 8/21/21, 11:01 PM
Don't all mammals do this? If you have had puppies or kittens, you know they start playing with each other even before their eyes fully open.
Also, it seems that even puppies have a sense of 'fairness' when they play with each other.