C/PS/37. A Theoretical Analysis of How Children Think, Imagine in Play, Imitate, Copy, Become Emergent Literate, Writing, Reading, Drawing, and Painting.

Symbolic representation is necessary for many adult actions functions such as language and arithmetic. This capacity for symbolic play is developed largely through the use of representations in play such as pretend play and role-play. This paper describes various theories of play as set out by Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, Hutt and Bruce. The purpose of play is defined according to each of these theories and the role of play in cognitive and social development is explored.