FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In which stage of play does a child actively engage in imaginative roles or scenarios?

1. Solitary play

2. Symbolic play

3. Onlooker play

4. Games with rules play

The correct answer is: Symbolic play

The correct answer is symbolic play, which is a significant stage in child development where children use their imagination to create roles, scenarios, or narratives that are not based on reality. This form of play often involves tools and props to represent real-life objects, and children will engage in role-playing, make-believe games, and storytelling. During symbolic play, children's cognitive abilities expand as they learn to think creatively and solve problems. They may pretend to be different characters, such as a doctor, teacher, or superhero, and invent situations in which they interact with these roles. This type of imaginative engagement is crucial for social development as it helps children understand others' perspectives and explore various social situations. In contrast, solitary play involves a child playing alone, without interaction or role-playing, while onlooker play consists of children observing others at play without getting involved themselves. Games with rules involves structured play with defined boundaries and objectives, which differs fundamentally from the free-form imaginative exploration found in symbolic play.