At what developmental stage do children begin to engage in pretend play?

Children begin to engage in pretend play during the preoperational stage of development, according to the theories of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 years. During the preoperational stage, children's thinking becomes more symbolic, allowing them to use objects to represent other things and to engage in imaginative play. This type of play is characterized by the ability to create scenarios, use props in inventive ways, and take on roles, which are all essential for cognitive and social development.

In this stage, children often create scenarios based on their experiences, imitating the adults in their lives, and exercising their growing understanding of the world. Pretend play is not only vital for developing creativity and problem-solving skills but also helps children practice social roles and enhances their linguistic skills through dialogue and narrative creation.

The other stages mentioned do not align with the onset of pretend play. The sensorimotor stage, for example, focuses on infants learning through physical interaction with their environment, while the concrete operational stage involves more logical thinking, and the formal operational stage deals with abstract reasoning—none of which primarily showcase the imaginative play characteristic of the preoperational stage.