Play is incredibly important in the life of a young child - it’s how they learn, communicate and make sense of their world. However, for some children, play skills don’t come naturally, and they might need a little bit of extra support.

Not all children develop pretend play without further support. For these children, it is helpful for them to have the opportunity to self-initiate in their play and build on the play difficulties. Pretend play can also be described as fantasy or imaginative play. Pretend play is the most complex play ability, as a child is placing a meaning on what and how they are playing. 

Learn to Play is primarily aimed at children that are aged between 3 – 8 years of age who have been identified as having difficulty with their language, solo or social play by either their parent/carer or the child's school or educational setting. 

The focus of Learn to Play are these play skills:

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• A child’s ability to begin their play

• Steps of play actions 

• Using objects as something else e.g. a box as a bed, a block as a phone

• Identifying a character outside of themselves e.g. giving teddy/doll a drink

• Joining their play actions so a story is evident

• Using role-play (being in character themselves) e.g. the child is a parent or doctor in the play

• Social interaction through play

• Building a child’s spontaneous pretend play allows them to participate in play with their peers at school, in their community, with their neighbours, and their family and siblings in a confident and positive way that allows them to feel as though they belong.

• Evidence shows consistent clinical improvements in language; social skills; a child's ability to self-initiate; symbolism and sequences of play, which increases their independent play and allows them to become a ‘player’ with other peers in their community.

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