If Pretend Play Feels Awkward, Read This.
How Pretend Play Builds Communication Skills (Even If You’re Not a ‘Play Parent’)
The other day at the playground, my daughter gathered leaves and sticks and decided we were a koala family. She dipped the sticks in imaginary paint and used them to decorate a room on the playset.
To anyone watching, it looked like a simple moment of make-believe. But what was really happening was something deeper. She was practicing storytelling, using vocabulary, and making sense of the world around her.
Pretend play may seem like fun and games, but it is actually one of the most powerful tools for building your child’s language, thinking, and emotional skills. It helps them learn how to connect ideas, take on new perspectives, and express themselves in meaningful ways.
Still, pretend play doesn’t always come naturally. Some kids struggle to get started. Some parents feel awkward joining in. And sometimes, without the right support, it can all feel a little out of reach.
That’s what this post is here for. We’ll talk about why pretend play matters, why it sometimes feels hard, and what you can do to make it easier and more meaningful at home. You’ll walk away with simple, practical ideas to support your child’s imagination and build foundational language skills. No drama skills required.
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Why Is Pretend Play Hard for Some Parents
If the thought of pretending to be a dinosaur or pouring invisible tea makes you cringe a little, you’re not the only one. For many parents, pretend play feels unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or simply impossible in the rush of daily life.
Here are a few quiet truths you might need to hear:
1. It Only Takes A Moment (Not Hours)
Your days are full. Sometimes overflowing. But pretend play doesn’t need to be long or elaborate. Ten minutes of sitting on the floor or saying yes to their idea can open a world of connection.
Try this: The next time you think “I can’t right now,” or feel pulled toward the next thing on your to-do list, pause. Shift your focus to them. It only takes a moment. And they’re always worth it.
2. You’re Allowed to Feel Awkward
If you didn’t grow up with pretend play, stepping into it now might feel foreign or even a little silly. That’s okay. You don’t have to be good at pretend play. You just have to be willing.
Trust this: Your presence matters more than your performance.
3. Their World Won’t Always Make Sense and That’s Kind of the Point
Kids live in a world of wonder. They use stories and sometimes nonsense to process what they’re learning. You might not understand the plot, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the scene. 😉😉 Let their imagination lead, and see where it takes you.
Try this: Say “yes” to the story, even if you don’t understand it. Ask what happens next. Add a playful twist. Watch their eyes light up when you choose to step into their world.
How to Build Foundational Language for Pretend Play
Pretend play needs a strong foundation and that's language! If your child isn’t quite diving into make-believe yet, it might mean they need more words, ideas, and examples to spark their imagination.
Here’s how you can build that foundation at home:
Narrate and Label
Talk out loud as you move through the day. Say what your child is doing like, “You’re pouring the tea!” Notice what you see. “Look, the bunny is hiding under the table!” Name feelings and actions. Let your words give meaning to the moment.
Introduce Basic Concepts
Use playtime and everyday moments to teach words like “in,” “on,” “under,” “next to,” and “behind.” These little words hold big power! They build the bridges pretend play needs.
Model Simple Pretend Play
Calling all parents! Your child can’t pretend what they haven’t seen. We’ve got to show them.
Pretend to eat toy food
Brush a doll’s hair
Use a block as a phone
Pretend to be a vet caring for a stuffed animal
Follow Their Lead
Their imagination is already waiting. Watch how they play. If they say, “This is the castle,” you say, “Should we hide the treasure in the tower?” Add to their story. Let their ideas lead the way.
What’s Really Happening in Pretend Play
When your child offers you tea from a plastic cup, they’re playing, yes, but they’re also practicing big skills in a safe, joyful way. Here’s what pretend play is really doing for your child:
It’s Growing Their Thinking Skills
Pretend play sparks creativity and helps children solve problems and imagine things beyond what’s right in front of them.
It’s Building Social Skills
As they play, children try out new roles, learn to take turns, and practice working together with others.
It’s Supporting Emotional Growth
Pretend play gives kids a safe place to explore and name their feelings and figure out how to handle them.
It’s Expanding Language Naturally
Making up stories and stepping into different roles helps your child build new words and ways to express themselves.
Where Imagination Leads, Learning Follows
If a secret door leads to Narnia, then pretend play is a doorway to connection, growth, and lifelong skills.
It doesn’t have to come naturally. You don’t have to do it perfectly.
Start small. Lean into the silliness.
Watch your child’s imagination and language grow.
If you want a little extra support, we’ve created a Play Guide packed with 50+ prompts, real-life vocabulary, and simple, developmentally-appropriate ideas to make pretend play joyful and doable for every family.
Thanks for reading.
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