Researchers have recently been trying to discover if pretending
has implications for child development. When we see kids at play
we are reminded that children live in a far more wondrous,
whimsical world than the rest of us. A pile of wooden blocks is
a vast city, and some sticks the inhabitants. Indeed, often
about the time babies begin to walk and talk, they also begin to
pretend--giving a stuffed animal a sip from their cup or
covering up a doll for sleep. There are definite indications
that having a good imagination translates into more creativity
as an adult but is it possible to connect pretend play and the
ability to get along socially in the world? Researchers are
specifically looking at whether pretend play facilitates the
development of children’s theory of mind- the ability to
understand that others have thoughts and feelings all their own.
"It's been a big focus of research recently and some of the work
is really fascinating," says developmental psychologist Alison
Gopnik, PhD, of the University o