Because your child is now beginning to form mental images of objects, actions, and concepts he is able to put together and act out more elaborate sequences of pretend play.
One form of pretend play you will see your child engage in is symbolic play. Symbolic play is your child’s ability to use objects, actions, or ideas to represent other objects, actions, or ideas.
Another form of pretend play your child engages in is socio-dramatic play. Socio-dramatic play appears at the time your child begins looking for the company of others. Sociodramatic play includes elements of symbolic play; however, sociodramatic play differs from symbolic play because it requires verbal interaction between two or more children.
Socio-dramatic play contributes to your child’s ability to play with other children his age. As your child is engaged in play he is growing his vocabulary and developing conversation skills needed to engage in role playing events during play (e.g. you be the doctor, and I will be the one who is sick).
Socio-dramatic play gives your child something to talk about with another child or family member. Think about a play exchange your child had with you in which you were the patient and he was the doctor. You were asked by your child, “How do you feel?” and “Are you sick?” These types of experiences require listening and talking as well as giving a response.
A shared experience like this through socio-dramatic play supports the development of skills needed for the social interactions your child will encounter each and every day.
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Teach your child to engage in make-believe play by setting up an environment that enables you to become your child’s play partner. Play a game of doctor with your child, and have your child act out an experience he had with the doctor. Then switch roles so that he is the doctor and you are the patient.
With your support, your child can overcome the anxiety he may have been experiencing regarding a doctor’s visit. Practicing or rehearsing the sequence of events experienced on a typical visit to the doctor or other potentially stressful situations helps two year olds feel more comfortable and learn coping strategies (e.g. familiarity) for managing the situation.
Symbolic play is important because through play your child will express and represent his ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
