At what age does pretend play typically begin to emerge?

Pretend play, also known as symbolic play, typically begins to emerge around the age of 12 months. At this stage, children start to engage in activities that involve using objects to represent something else, such as using a block as a phone or pretending to feed a doll. This type of play is essential for cognitive development as it encourages imagination, problem-solving, and understanding of the world through role-playing scenarios.

Around 12 months, children enhance their ability to imitate adult actions and begin to use their understanding of everyday experiences in their play. This developmental milestone is significant as it lays the foundation for more complex forms of play and social interactions as children grow older. By contrast, earlier stages of development, typically before 12 months, focus on exploration through sensory experiences rather than imaginative and pretend play.