Comments on: Different stages of pretend play and how they relate to language development http://the-mouse-trap.com/2006/08/30/different-stages-of-pretend-play-and-how-they-relate-to-language-development/ Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:20:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: A Parent’s Guide to the Stages of Pretend Play « Music Connections http://the-mouse-trap.com/2006/08/30/different-stages-of-pretend-play-and-how-they-relate-to-language-development/#comment-2362 A Parent’s Guide to the Stages of Pretend Play « Music Connections Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:15:43 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=45#comment-2362 [...] article that gets into actual research and description about the stages of pretend play – Different stages of pretend play and how they relate to language development , very interesting and well written, but not necessarily consolidated succinctly for [...] [...] article that gets into actual research and description about the stages of pretend play – Different stages of pretend play and how they relate to language development , very interesting and well written, but not necessarily consolidated succinctly for [...]

]]> By: Sandy G http://the-mouse-trap.com/2006/08/30/different-stages-of-pretend-play-and-how-they-relate-to-language-development/#comment-21 Sandy G Thu, 31 Aug 2006 10:53:00 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=45#comment-21 Thanks Chris for the description of the levels. I realize these levels fit well with the above speculations.<br/><br/>Also, thanks for the in-depth information and constant stimulation that you provide via your blog postings. Thanks Chris for the description of the levels. I realize these levels fit well with the above speculations.

Also, thanks for the in-depth information and constant stimulation that you provide via your blog postings.

]]> By: Chris Chatham http://the-mouse-trap.com/2006/08/30/different-stages-of-pretend-play-and-how-they-relate-to-language-development/#comment-20 Chris Chatham Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:22:00 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=45#comment-20 Fascinating! Great post.<br/><br/>Since you asked, here's the definition of each stage as in the Lynn et al paper:<br/><br/>Level 1: Presymbolic schemes – child or ape shows understanding of object use or meaning by action – no pretending<br/><br/>Level 2: Self-pretend/auto-symbolic games –<br/>Child or ape pretends at self-related<br/>activities while showing elaborations<br/>such as sound effects, affect and/or<br/>gesture and an awareness of the<br/>pretend aspects of the behavior<br/><br/>Level 3: Single representational play acts –<br/>Including other actors or receivers<br/>action (doll, mother) – Pretending<br/>activities of other living creatures<br/>objects (dogs, trucks, trains, etc.)<br/><br/>Level 4: Combinatorial pretend—single<br/>scheme applied to multiple recipients<br/>or multiple schemes applied to a<br/>single recipient<br/><br/>Level 5: Hierarchical pretend/hierarchical<br/>combinations – an internal plan or<br/>designation is the basis for the<br/>pretend act – child or ape engages in<br/>verbalization, search, or other<br/>preparation. One object is substituted<br/>for another with evidence that the<br/>child or ape is aware of multiple<br/>meanings being expressed. Child or<br/>ape constructs imaginary object.<br/>Child or ape treats inanimate object<br/>as if it were active or animate. Child<br/>or ape shows behaviorally that he or<br/>she actively expects an inanimate<br/>object to carry out an action with the<br/>aid of another<br/><br/>There are examples provided in the paper about each of these, both in humans and primates. Here's the title of the paper (I realized I never provided it):<br/><br/>The development of representational play in chimpanzees and bonobos: Evolutionary implications, pretense, and the role of interspecies communication Fascinating! Great post.

Since you asked, here’s the definition of each stage as in the Lynn et al paper:

Level 1: Presymbolic schemes – child or ape shows understanding of object use or meaning by action – no pretending

Level 2: Self-pretend/auto-symbolic games –
Child or ape pretends at self-related
activities while showing elaborations
such as sound effects, affect and/or
gesture and an awareness of the
pretend aspects of the behavior

Level 3: Single representational play acts –
Including other actors or receivers
action (doll, mother) – Pretending
activities of other living creatures
objects (dogs, trucks, trains, etc.)

Level 4: Combinatorial pretend—single
scheme applied to multiple recipients
or multiple schemes applied to a
single recipient

Level 5: Hierarchical pretend/hierarchical
combinations – an internal plan or
designation is the basis for the
pretend act – child or ape engages in
verbalization, search, or other
preparation. One object is substituted
for another with evidence that the
child or ape is aware of multiple
meanings being expressed. Child or
ape constructs imaginary object.
Child or ape treats inanimate object
as if it were active or animate. Child
or ape shows behaviorally that he or
she actively expects an inanimate
object to carry out an action with the
aid of another

There are examples provided in the paper about each of these, both in humans and primates. Here’s the title of the paper (I realized I never provided it):

The development of representational play in chimpanzees and bonobos: Evolutionary implications, pretense, and the role of interspecies communication

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