TAKE-HOME STRATEGY

Supporting Imitation and Symbolic Representation at Home

Aerial view of child-sized shoes beside backpack

What It's About

Imitation and Symbolic Representation skills help children make sense of their world. Children build imitation skills by copying adults’ words and actions. Often, this happens during pretend play. With support, they also start to see that symbols stand for something else. They may recognize a sign for their favorite restaurant or use a block as a “phone” to call a friend.

You can help your child develop these skills by encouraging them to take on roles and use props during play.

ACTIVITY CHOICE BOARD

Here are some ways you can support Imitation and Symbolic Representation at home. Keep in mind that you can change these activities to work for you and your child based on their current abilities, interests, and what you have available at home. Make sure to use safe materials and watch your child closely during these activities.

Take a look, and try out your favorites!

Create a Picture

Use chalk, crayons, paint, or pencils to create pictures of different things. Talk to your child about their picture, “Tell me about your picture. You said you drew a flower! Can I write that by your picture?”

Spot the Food Labels

Point out the pictures, letters, and words on familiar food bags or boxes. For example, “Which of these cans has beans inside? Here it is! I see a picture of tan beans, and these words say, ‘pinto beans.’”

Sing a Song

Do finger play songs such as “Five Little Speckled Frogs.” As you are singing, use your hands to represent the frogs.

Let's Pretend

Take on roles during play, such as a doctor and patient. Or, just join in your child's play and expand on it. For example, if your child is playing with cars, pretend to put gas in the car.

Symbol Walk

Symbols are everywhere! They are signs, letters, logos, etc. Look for symbols in and around your home. Explain their meanings as you go. For example, “That sign means STOP.”

What's the Box?

Give your child an empty box and see what they can pretend. Give a few suggestions to get them going, if they need it. For example, “Are you in a car driving to the store or a rocket flying into space?”

Quick Cues for Imitation and Symbolic Representation

Some things you might do or say to help strengthen your child’s Imitation and Symbolic Representation

Label Symbols

Point out and explain symbols in their world.

This can sound like:

“You’re eating an apple for lunch today! This is an apple,” while showing a picture of an apple.

“That arrow tells us the way to go.”

“You drew a picture of your Abuela, so I am writing ‘Abuela’ here.”  

Suggest Roles

During play, suggest new roles or “rules” for that role.

This can sound like:

“Let’s be daddies and walk our babies.”

“I want to pretend to be the customer. What do you want to be?” 

“What does the doctor use this for?”  

Use Props

Offer props that may or may not look exactly like the “real” thing.

This can sound like:

“You’re pretending to eat broccoli! Yum, I’ll try some too (while holding pretend food)!”

“I’m going to use my spoon to eat my soup (bowl with blocks)!”

“You need to make a call? Okay, here’s my phone (holding a block as a phone).”

Our Book Recommendations for Imitation and Symbolic Representation

Engaging stories that support children's Imitation and Symbolic Representation skills
Nostros Means Us Book Cover

Nosotros Means Us

Written and illustrated by Paloma Valdivia, this story features a mother and child who imagine transforming into different versions of themselves over time.

Have fun with it:
Move around, and make sounds like animals you and your child would like to be!

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures Cover

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

Written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, in this book a child goes through the same emotions and actions as different animals as they prepare for sleep.

Have fun with it:
Turn items from your bedtime routine into pretend play props. Use a towel as a cape, a hairbrush as a microphone, or a toothbrush as an airplane.

More Take-Home Strategies

We’re creating a library of resources like these so families and other caregivers can quickly and easily promote children’s development at home. Be sure to see all the strategies we have available!

visit our take-home strategy library