Why Do the Children (Pretend) Play?
Pretend Play amongst children is something each child goes through eventually. Either it's pretending to organize a tea party for their stuffed animals or having an imaginary friend, it's all the same type of play.Although humans pretend play, animals do too ( cats pretend to catch mice and dogs chase their tale, it's all a part of imaginary play, only in some species). It is proven that children who don't pretend play might have Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD) since they might be lacking motivation rather than ability , even though they pretend play when instructed to do so, it's just not something that comes to them naturally unlike most kids. Even older kids pretend play but not like babies do. Play fighting can be considered as a form of pretend play since they can tell the difference, because if they didn't know it was pretend fighting they would ensue real fighting behaviors. Pretend play and fighting are both isomorphic, which means that they both involve as as-if world, and are both communicated through ritualized signals , and in both what occurs in the expressed level is symbolic of a different , unexpressed level. It is shown that animals who don't pretend play and don't get as much communication , often react to signals just like children with ASD do. Overall, it is completely healthy for children and animals to pretend play and is a signal of good mental and physical health.
Pretend Play amongst children is something each child goes through eventually. Either it's pretending to organize a tea party for their stuffed animals or having an imaginary friend, it's all the same type of play.Although humans pretend play, animals do too ( cats pretend to catch mice and dogs chase their tale, it's all a part of imaginary play, only in some species). It is proven that children who don't pretend play might have Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD) since they might be lacking motivation rather than ability , even though they pretend play when instructed to do so, it's just not something that comes to them naturally unlike most kids. Even older kids pretend play but not like babies do. Play fighting can be considered as a form of pretend play since they can tell the difference, because if they didn't know it was pretend fighting they would ensue real fighting behaviors. Pretend play and fighting are both isomorphic, which means that they both involve as as-if world, and are both communicated through ritualized signals , and in both what occurs in the expressed level is symbolic of a different , unexpressed level. It is shown that animals who don't pretend play and don't get as much communication , often react to signals just like children with ASD do. Overall, it is completely healthy for children and animals to pretend play and is a signal of good mental and physical health.
LIllard, Angeline S. Why Do the Children Pretend Play? 29 Aug. 2017, www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lib.uconn.edu/science/article/pii/S1364661317301687.
I loved reading this article! When I was little I loved to pretend play; I played with dolls, toy cars, and stuffed animals. I also see the kids I work with at the YMCA and the kids I babysit that do this and love it as well. Pretend play helps enhance a childś mind and provokes many complex cognitive skills. My article touched base a tad on this, so it was really interesting in reading yours where this was the main focus!
ReplyDeleteReading this article reminds me of my little sister. She loves to dress up and make believe she is a princess. She would go back and forth from my mom's room to my room with different outs. I agree that learning through imaginary play has long been recognised as an important component of child development.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that people with autism are not good at being able to pretend play, so I definitely learned something new from reading this article. I enjoyed the article especially when you had mentioned that people of all ages can pretend play, since I had also found that one interesting. Overall, I loved this article and it was also very cool that you mentioned animals pretend playing as well!
ReplyDeleteMe either Tony! This article was very similar to mine in the sense that a child that does not pretend play may demonstrate signs of social outcast or struggle with peer playing. I like how you mentioned animals as well, because it helped me understand why cats and dogs always chase the ends of their tails now!!
DeleteIt is very surprising, yet interesting, that the less a child pretend plays, means that the less communication they are receiving. I always assumed that it would be the opposite way around. Also, this reminds me of a boy in my neighborhood with ASD. He is not very communicative, let alone playful regarding the games you listed. But now I understand he is lacking motivation, rather than ability.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to work with this boy that was autistic and their play is completely different than ours. It's like they have their own way of interacting and communicating with people and the world itself.
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