Pretend to Practice

Children recreate things that are above their developmental level in order to understand that behaviour/stage for themselves. When children play house they are trying to figure out what it means to be "mom" or "older sister" and together they render those ideas and learn from each other. As a collaborative effort kids correct each other, as they try and demonstrate or practice that role, therefore getting a fuller conceptualization. Playing doctor, or school, for example helps children understand what doctors do and say, and how everyone behaves at school, and they are therefore better prepared to partake in that experience/role in the future.