More than 80 years ago, Russian developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky first proposed that make-believe play is a powerful source of symbolic thought and self-regulation in young children. This webinar discusses Vygotksy’s proposal and contemporary research bearing on it, including the role of pretense in fostering young children’s private speech, inhibitory control, socially responsible behavior, and emotion regulation. The current controversy over whether make-believe play is causally related to favorable child outcomes (including self-regulation) is also considered. The webinar concludes with practical implications for parents’ play with young children and for playful educational experiences in early childhood programs.

Dr. Laura Berk Illinois State University