Developmental changes in toy preferences during pretend play in toddlerhood

Pretend play is important for children's development. However, recent research indicates that, as preschool children age and get more proficient at pretend play, they prefer real objects. We examined whether toddlers prefer real objects when they are younger as well as when they are older and more proficient in pretend play situations. Forty-three 18-, 24-, and 30-month-old toddlers were exposed to brightly coloured toys, wooden toys, and real tableware. We examined which toy/object they chose when they engaged in pretend cooking. Chi-square tests with children's age groups and three toy/object types showed that 18-month-olds preferred brightly coloured toys, while 30-month-olds preferred real tableware. This result implies that at the age of 30 months, children show a preference for real objects. Additionally, toddlers may prefer different types of toys/objects depending on their development. The findings of this study may help to identify developmentally appropriate toys/objects for children.