pretend play
What to do if a child isn't yet showing pretend play
Pretend play usually emerges around 18 months and grows through the third year, so a single missing skill is rarely alarming. As a caregiver, make space for it through everyday play and watch warmly. If pretend play hasn't appeared by around 24 months — especially with few words, little eye contact or limited social interest together — a calm developmental check is wise. This is a reason to assess early, never a diagnosis.
Pretend play blossoms in its own time — a child who feeds a doll, talks on a toy phone or stirs an empty pot is showing you their imagination is awakening.
In short
If a child in your care isn't yet showing pretend play, the most helpful thing you can do is make space for it through everyday play, then watch warmly over the coming weeks. Pretend play usually emerges around 18 months and grows richer through the third year, so a single missing skill is rarely cause for alarm. If it hasn't appeared by around 24 months — especially alongside few words, little eye contact or limited interest in others — a calm developmental check is wise, because early support works beautifully at this age.What to watch
Pretend play often starts small and builds in stages. Gentle things to notice:- Functional play first — using objects for their real purpose (pushing a toy car, putting a cup to lips) usually comes before true pretend.
- Simple pretend — by around 18–24 months, feeding a teddy, pretending to sleep, or "talking" on a toy phone.
- Imitation — copying what you do, like sweeping or stirring, is a stepping stone to pretend.
- Joining in — shared smiles, pointing to show you things, and responding to their name are the social foundations that pretend play grows from.
If, by around 24 months, there's little pretend, little imitation, few words and limited social connection together, that's a reason to seek a check — not a diagnosis.
The science
Pretend (or symbolic) play reflects a child's growing ability to hold an idea in mind — a banana standing in for a phone. It's closely woven with language and social understanding, which is why clinicians watch it as a window into communication and thinking, not just play.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our team reads pretend play as one thread among many, and our speech therapy clinicians help build the language and imagination that grow side by side.Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" milestones on play and imitation; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on play and developmental monitoring; WHO ICF framework for major life areas including play (d7).Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of this child's play and milestones.
What to watch
Notice whether the child uses objects for their real purpose, imitates everyday actions, and shows simple pretend (feeding a doll, toy phone) by around 18–24 months. Seek a developmental check if, by around 24 months, there's little pretend together with few words, limited imitation, little eye contact and reduced interest in others.
Try this at home
Sit alongside and model one small pretend action — stir an empty pot, give teddy a sip, pretend to sleep — then pause and watch. Following the child's lead and narrating warmly invites imitation, the stepping stone to pretend play.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
At what age should pretend play appear?
Simple pretend play — like feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone — usually emerges around 18 months and grows richer through the third year. Functional play (using objects for their real purpose) and imitation typically come first.
Is missing pretend play a sign of autism?
Not on its own. Pretend play develops at different paces. It becomes more meaningful to look closely when, by around 24 months, limited pretend appears together with few words, limited imitation, little eye contact and reduced social interest. Even then, it is a reason to assess early — never a diagnosis.
How can I encourage pretend play at home?
Model small pretend actions yourself, offer simple props like cups, dolls or toy food, follow the child's interests, and narrate warmly. Pausing to give the child time to imitate is often the most powerful invitation.