Activity
Let’s Pretend
Encourage pretend play using real objects to demonstrate the idea of make-believe.
This activity has been revised and was originally created by Charlotte Cushman and published in the Perkins Activity and Resource Guide (1st edition, 1992). The second edition is available for purchase.
This engaging activity helps students develop symbolic and representational play skills. Lessons include Social Skills, English Language Arts, and Leisure and Recreation.
- Eating utensils, bowl, plate, cup, napkin
- Pillow, blanket, favorite stuffed animal
- Soap, towel
- Begin with real objects in a make-believe situation (use real cups, plates, and spoons to eat a pretend meal). Talk about what you are eating, and make lots of “m-m-m…” and chomping sounds for an exaggerated effect. Remind students that you are pretending and that you are not really eating anything.
- Similarly, pretend to wash hands and face using a real bar of soap and a towel. (This is a great way to reinforce body concepts at the same time.)
- Pretend to go to sleep. Again, use a real blanket and pillow to set the scene for a make-believe situation. Say “good-night” to the student and help him to get under the blanket. Remember the appropriate sound effects: yawn and snore and talk about how tired you are.
- As the student begins to act out these familiar situations, help him to expand his play. Increase the variety of activities: pretend to ride in a car or go on an outing.
- Introduce simple role-playing in which the student can act out a part (mother, father, teacher, doctor).
- As the student becomes more sophisticated in his play techniques, introduce representational objects, such as dolls or puppets, and miniature props (toy dishes, cars, furniture, etc.). Pretend to feed or dress the dolls.
Hint: Use this activity to role-play various interactions. For example, role-play a trip to the store before going shopping by putting items in a cart, unloading the cart at the register, greeting the cashier, etc.
