What is pretending?

Pretending is when you use your imagination to be something else or make things happen that aren’t real.

Imagination is like a superpower in your brain, it lets you picture things that aren’t there yet. When you pretend, you're like a painter who uses their mind instead of paintbrushes.

Imagine you’re wearing your favorite superhero cape. Even though you’re just a kid, you start to feel like a real hero. You might say, “I can fly!” and jump around as if you are soaring through the sky. That’s pretending, using your imagination to become someone or something else.

If you have a toy phone, you can talk to your teddy bear like it's your best friend. You’re not just talking, you're pretending that your teddy is listening and responding. It’s like having a conversation with someone who isn’t there, but you believe they are.

Pretending helps you learn, grow, and have fun, all at the same time!