What is another term used for fantasy play?

Fantasy play is often referred to as pretend play. This type of play involves children using their imagination to create scenarios, roles, and stories, allowing them to express creativity and explore different realities. During pretend play, children may act out various roles, such as being a parent, a doctor, or even animals, effectively simulating real-life situations or completely fictional ones. This is crucial for their cognitive and social development as it encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional understanding.

The other terms, while related, do not capture the specific essence of fantasy or pretend play. Cooperative play emphasizes interaction and teamwork among children during play activities, while creative play focuses more broadly on the generation of new ideas and artistic expression. Imaginative play shares similarities with pretend play but may not encompass the full scope of the improvisational and role-playing aspects inherent in fantasy play.