“Pretend play doesn’t need to be complicated or instructional,” Vasilopoulos said. “Using this kind of gentle, child‑led ...

Can pretend play prevent childhood anxiety? Research finds that imaginative toddlers have fewer behavioral issues in primary school.

For children, rocks can be spaceships. Pens can be fairies. And this kind of play can help protect mental health in childhood ...

Children who demonstrate pretend play ability as toddlers have significantly fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties at ...

In a series of tea party-like experiments, Johns Hopkins University researchers demonstrated for the first time that apes can use their imagination and play pretend, an ability thought to be uniquely ...

Pretend play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful tool for your child’s growth. Studies show it can boost language, social skills, and even long-term mental health. The best part? You don’t need fancy ...

Pretend It’s a City! is a new multi-episode documentary on Netflix directed by Martin Scorsese where he follows his long-time friend, writer and humorist Fran Lebowitz around New York. For all those ...

Pretend play is a great strategy to help a child overcome the fear of going to the doctor. Here's how to help prepare your toddler or preschooler for a visit with a pediatrician. New experiences like ...

Pretend play isn’t just fun—it’s a brain-building, heart-growing powerhouse for kids. From sparking creativity to teaching empathy and problem-solving, it shapes skills they’ll use for life. With a ...

A while back, I met up with my pal Jenny Lawson, who was in town recording the audiobook version of her memoir, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. I asked her how it was going, and she told me that it ...