Real or pretend? — Philosophy, 4–6 years
Children learn to notice the difference between what happens in the world and what they imagine, while seeing that pretend play can still have meaning.
Idea
A toy dragon can be pretend, while the toy itself is real and can be held. We can enjoy an imaginary story without saying that the dragon is hiding under the bed.
Why it matters
People have always needed to tell stories from reports about what really happened. This helps us stay safe, trust useful information, and still leave room for games, dreams and stories.
Try it
Marta says, “There is a monster in the cupboard.” First, ask what she saw: perhaps a coat with two bright buttons. Next, open the cupboard with an adult and check. The coat is real; the monster was an idea made from shadows.
A common trap
It is easy to say that pretend things are pointless because they are not real. That is a reasonable thought: a pretend fire cannot warm us. Yet pretend play can practise feelings, ideas and stories, even when it does not change the real room.
Outside school
This helps when a friend tells a funny story, when an advert uses a picture, or when a scary dream feels true after waking. We can ask, “Did this happen, or is it a story, dream or game?”
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