Our health worker suggested that we encourage our son to do more pretend play, but what kind of jobs should he be pretending to do? I just am not clear how this works.

It's a lovely idea. Walmart do a lovely colorful set that's around $21.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Make-Your-Own-Puppets-Kit/11035967

If you don't' want to spend much you can always look on the internet for ideas about making your own from scratch.

You can use a cheap felt material and then either a glue gun or stapler to stick the 2 sides once you cut it out of a template. Your kids can have fun sticking decorations on the puppets or using fabric pens to decorate them.

Take a look at the Simple Kids website. I really like her ideas that come with photos for role play type games with the kids, without having to spend a lot.

http://simplekids.net/creative-pretend-play-props-and-ideas/

You are right - it's a great pretend play tool. You can buy a cash register and then some plastic pretend foods and set up a mini shop or restaurant at home. Not only is it great for their imagination but also good for learning to count money etc.

Amazon stock the one we bought for around $26, take a look;

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Pretend-Calculator-Register/dp/B00000DMD2/ref=lp_166309011_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1352367870&sr=1-8

: I like the fisher price set as it's really sturdy so it withstands quite a bit of throwing around. Amazon are selling one for around $15.

Take a look at this link;

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Drillin-Action-Tool-Set/dp/B002SXMH3K/ref=lp_166309011_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352367870&sr=1-3

You are totally right. Pretend play doesn't need a big spending spree to make it fun. Kids just love using household items for their games. It makes them feel big and grown up. Here are some examples;

Boxes ie cardboard

Dressing up clothes - old shoes, hats and scarves

Blankets and bottles

Kitchen equipment

No! in a way it's a great thing that they are fighting as it's giving them the chance to learn to problem solve and compromise. Pretend play is like a snap shot of reality and your kids can learn some very effective skills that will help them in school and with friendships.

Yes, it's actually true. Through pretend play, a toddler is able to 'be someone else' for a while, whether it's just dressing up or pretending without props, but they can actually attempt to feel what it's like to be someone else - a princess, a teacher etc.

It also helps with the message of self-esteem as it shows them not to be limited and that they can be whatever they want to be.

Take a look at this good article from the Better Kid Care site.

http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/TIPS/TIPS46.pdf

it even gives some good tips for using basic household items to help promote pretend play.

Pretend play is tea parties, dressing up etc is linked to many developmental areas such as language, problem solving and abstract thought. It's a key issue in social interaction between children.

Pretend play is a way of incorporating imaginative play ie with dolls, cars etc with symbolic play ie playing with inanimate objects.