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How Pretend Play Builds Communication Skills in Early Childhood

Writer: Melissa Martinet
Melissa Martinet
Oct 12
6 min read

When your child serves you pretend soup, checks your heartbeat with a toy stethoscope, or announces that the couch is now a pirate ship, it might look like simple fun. And it is! But beneath all that imagination, your child is practising important skills they'll use in everyday conversations and relationships.


Pretend play is one of the most natural ways children explore language. Through familiar experiences and imaginary situations, children have opportunities to express their ideas, learn new words, and practise communicating with others, all while doing something they enjoy.


What's Really Happening During Pretend Play?

Pretend play is more than imagination. It gives children opportunities to experiment with communication in meaningful situations without the pressure of getting everything right.


Think about a child playing restaurant. They might ask what you'd like to eat, pretend to write down your order, explain that the soup is too hot, or tell you the restaurant is closing. Within one simple activity, they're using vocabulary, asking questions, responding to others, and creating a story.


According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, 2024), dramatic play creates meaningful opportunities for children to develop vocabulary, listening, speaking, and early literacy skills.


And while we often focus on the words children are saying, communication involves much more than spoken language. Gestures, facial expressions, listening, and responding to another person's ideas are all important parts of the process.


What Communication Skills Are Children Practising?

When children take on roles such as a chef, doctor, teacher, or parent, they're practising several communication skills at once.


Building vocabulary: Pretend play introduces words within experiences children can understand. Words like "appointment," "ingredients," or "delivery" become meaningful when they're part of an imaginary doctor's office, kitchen, or grocery store.


Back-and-forth conversations: Taking orders, answering pretend phone calls, and asking patients how they're feeling all create opportunities for conversational turn taking. Children learn that communication involves listening and responding, not just talking.


Expressing ideas and emotions: Children can use pretend characters to explore different feelings and experiences. A doll might feel nervous about going to the doctor, or a stuffed animal might be upset because its friend took a toy. These moments create opportunities to name emotions and talk about what someone might need.


Storytelling and problem-solving: When children decide what happens next in their imaginary world, they're learning to organize ideas, explain situations, and communicate solutions. Maybe the grocery store runs out of apples, or the teddy bear needs somewhere to sleep. Suddenly, there's a problem to solve and a story to tell.


These opportunities are part of what makes pretend play so valuable. Children aren't simply repeating words. They're discovering how communication helps them connect, express themselves, and participate in the world around them (NAEYC, 2018).


How Pretend Play Changes as Children Grow

Pretend play doesn't begin with elaborate stories or full conversations. It develops gradually as children's understanding of the world, imagination, and communication skills grow.


Younger toddlers may begin by copying familiar actions, such as pretending to drink from an empty cup or feeding a doll. As their play develops, they might combine actions, put their stuffed animals to bed, or pretend to cook an entire meal.


Preschoolers often begin creating more detailed imaginary scenarios, assigning roles, and working with others to decide what happens next. A simple pretend kitchen might eventually become a busy restaurant with customers, chefs, menus, and deliveries.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2026) includes pretend play within its early childhood developmental guidance, recognizing how play becomes increasingly imaginative and interactive as children grow.


These changes are closely connected to the stages of play. As children become more interested in playing with others, pretend scenarios can create opportunities to practise cooperation, negotiation, and communication.


Simple Ways to Support Communication Through Pretend Play

You don't need an elaborate playroom or expensive toys to create meaningful pretend play experiences. Often, the simplest materials leave the most room for imagination.


1. Follow Their Lead

Let your child choose the story and decide what role you should play. If they're pretending to run a restaurant, become the customer. If they're a doctor, let them examine you. Following their ideas gives them opportunities to direct the play, explain what's happening, and practise communicating their plans.


2. Add Language Naturally

Rather than asking constant questions, introduce new words through the play itself. You might say, "This soup is delicious! What ingredients did you use?" or "Doctor, my tummy hurts. Can you help me?" You're modelling vocabulary and conversation without turning playtime into a lesson.


3. Create Little Problems to Solve

Add a playful challenge that encourages your child to think and communicate. Maybe the restaurant has run out of food, the stuffed animal has lost its blanket, or the delivery truck has broken down. Give your child the opportunity to suggest what happens next and respond to their ideas.


4. Pause and Give Them Space

After saying something in character, pause and allow your child time to respond. They might use a word, gesture, sound, or action to continue the interaction. Try not to fill every quiet moment with questions or suggestions. Sometimes a little waiting creates the opportunity for a child to initiate communication.


5. Use Familiar Everyday Experiences

Children often recreate situations they've seen or experienced themselves. A grocery store, bedtime routine, doctor's appointment, or family meal can all become pretend play opportunities. Pots, scarves, cardboard boxes, dolls, and stuffed animals can be just as valuable as dedicated playsets.


What If My Child Doesn't Enjoy Pretend Play?

Not every child approaches pretend play in the same way. Some children love creating elaborate stories, while others prefer repeating familiar routines or exploring materials before introducing imaginary ideas.


Rather than directing your child towards a particular type of play, observe what already interests them. If they love vehicles, perhaps a toy car needs to visit the mechanic. If they enjoy animals, you could introduce a pretend veterinarian. Small additions to familiar activities can create natural opportunities for communication.


And remember, communication doesn't have to be verbal to be meaningful. A child handing you an imaginary cup of tea, pointing to a doll's bed, or using gestures to explain their idea is still communicating.


If you're concerned about your child's communication or play development, consider speaking with their healthcare provider or a speech-language pathologist for individualized guidance.


The Bigger Picture: Communication Through Connection

One of the most valuable parts of pretend play isn't necessarily how many words children use, but the opportunities it creates for meaningful interactions.


When your child hands you an imaginary cup of coffee and waits for you to take a sip, they're inviting you into their world. When they explain that the teddy bear is sick, they're sharing an idea and encouraging you to respond.


These small exchanges support much more than vocabulary. They provide opportunities to practise listening, responding, problem-solving, and understanding different perspectives.


So the next time your child invites you into their pretend restaurant, doctor's office, or imaginary adventure, remember that you're doing more than playing along. You're giving them opportunities to practise communication in a way that feels natural, engaging, and connected.


Keep Exploring Your Child's Development

You can explore our Birth to 5 Milestone Guide to better understand how play, communication, and social-emotional skills develop throughout early childhood.


Looking for more practical support? Explore our Free Resources, Blog, or Parent FIELD Courses.


Because supporting communication isn't always about encouraging more words. Sometimes, it's simply about joining your child's world and giving them the space to share it with you.


References


It's continuing to share life with them... one conversation at a time.


Explore more on early childhood development, and how to support your child's milestones:

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The information shared on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, professional, or legal advice. We are not healthcare professionals. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your child or family's specific needs. Use of this information is at your own discretion. For full details, please visit our Legal page.

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