Pretend and Imitation
2021-12-04
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Shinji in Japan.
2I am unsure about how to use "imitate" and "pretend."
3For example, I see such sentences as, "Does your child like pretend play?"
4referring to acting like a superhero, for instance.
5But is it wrong to say, "Does your child like imitation play?"
6Dear Shinji,
7We have all watched children as they use their imagination during play.
8For example, a child may pick up a stick and use it as a sword, pretending to be a hero.
9The simple answer to your question is no, it is not wrong to use "imitation" as an adjective with the noun "play."
10But there is a difference in meaning. Let us look at the two words.
11When someone pretends, they are acting as if something were true.
12An example is the child who takes an empty shoe box and puts a doll into it.
13The child is pretending as they push it around the floor, saying,
14This is her car.
15When children imitate, they are acting as if they were another person, such as an adult in their life.
16The child who holds a doll and sings a gentle song to it is imitating a loving parent.
17The child puts the doll down and covers it, saying,
18My baby is going to sleep now. Please be quiet.
19The child is both imitating a parent and pretending that the doll is a living thing.
20Do you have a child who plays in this way?
21You may be interested to know that experts say it is very important for children to learn by imitating what they see around them and pretending with toys and other objects.
22Both help them use their imagination.
23Another word for this kind of play is "make-believe."
24One way to help a child develop their imagination is to provide dress-up clothes and toys that look like tools and household objects.
25Experts also suggest it is good to play along with whatever story the child imagines and talk about what is happening to help develop their language skills.
26Shinji, I hope you have fun taking part in pretend play with the children in your life.
27You can even see adults playing at being someone else or being in another time at historical fairs and museums.
28What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
29And that's Ask a Teacher.
30I'm Jill Robbins.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Shinji in Japan. 2Question: 3I am unsure about how to use "imitate" and "pretend." 4For example, I see such sentences as, "Does your child like pretend play?" referring to acting like a superhero, for instance. But is it wrong to say, "Does your child like imitation play?" 5Shinji, Japan. 6Answer: 7Dear Shinji, 8We have all watched children as they use their imagination during play. For example, a child may pick up a stick and use it as a sword, pretending to be a hero. 9The simple answer to your question is no, it is not wrong to use "imitation" as an adjective with the noun "play." But there is a difference in meaning. Let us look at the two words. 10Pretend 11When someone pretends, they are acting as if something were true. An example is the child who takes an empty shoe box and puts a doll into it. The child is pretending as they push it around the floor, saying, 12This is her car. 13Imitation 14When children imitate, they are acting as if they were another person, such as an adult in their life. The child who holds a doll and sings a gentle song to it is imitating a loving parent. The child puts the doll down and covers it, saying, 15My baby is going to sleep now. Please be quiet. 16The child is both imitating a parent and pretending that the doll is a living thing. 17Make-believe 18Do you have a child who plays in this way? You may be interested to know that experts say it is very important for children to learn by imitating what they see around them and pretending with toys and other objects. Both help them use their imagination. 19Another word for this kind of play is "make-believe." One way to help a child develop their imagination is to provide dress-up clothes and toys that look like tools and household objects. Experts also suggest it is good to play along with whatever story the child imagines and talk about what is happening to help develop their language skills. 20Shinji, I hope you have fun taking part in pretend play with the children in your life. You can even see adults playing at being someone else or being in another time at historical fairs and museums. 21What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 22And that's Ask a Teacher. 23I'm Jill Robbins. 24Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 25___________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27pretend - v. to act as if something is true when it is not true 28sword - n. a weapon with a long metal blade that has a sharp point and edge 29museum -n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public 30Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.