Activity
This Could Be Anything
With a basket of open-ended objects, children pretend each item is something new, growing imagination and symbolic play.
Ages 12–36 months
Supports this milestone
- shows imagination in play and interactions with others. — Head Start ELOF
Materials
- A basket of safe open-ended objects, such as wooden blocks, scarves, cardboard tubes, and cups
- A doll or stuffed animal to play alongside
Steps
- Pick up one object and wonder aloud, "What could this be?"
- Model a pretend idea, such as holding a block to your ear like a phone.
- Hand the object to a child and invite their own pretend idea.
- Follow the child's lead, joining the play and narrating what is happening.
- Offer the doll so children can pretend to feed, call, or care for it.
Variations
- Use one scarf and brainstorm many things it could become, such as a blanket or a river.
- Add simple drawing materials so children make a "novel thing" to bring into the play.
Differentiation
- For young toddlers, model one clear pretend action and celebrate any imitation.
- For older toddlers, encourage a short pretend story with two or three actions.
Accessibility
- Include objects with varied textures and weights for sensory exploration.
- Join in and narrate to model pretend ideas for children who are just beginning.
Safety
- Use objects large enough to avoid choking and check for small or broken parts.
Practices these skills
Evidence
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas