At what age does pretend play first emerge?

Pretend play, also known as imaginative play, typically begins to emerge around 12 months of age. At this stage, infants start to engage in simple pretend behaviors such as imitating actions they observe adults doing. This can include pretending to eat with a toy spoon or mimicking other daily tasks, which is an essential part of cognitive development.

By 18 months, children usually show more complex forms of pretend play, incorporating multiple elements and scenarios into their playtime, such as making a phone call with a toy or pretending to care for a baby doll. However, the foundational skills necessary for pretending start to develop at around 12 months, making this age significant in the progression of cognitive and social skills in early childhood.