The Effects Of Pretend Play On The Theory Of Mind For Children Around The Age Of3-4

Children’s theory of mind is the mental cognition of children towards themselves as well as others. Over the recent three decades, numerous efforts have been contributed to the discussion of children’s theory of mind. Research has shown the obvious relationship between pretend play and children’s theory of mind. However, few attentions are paid on the enhancing children’s theory of mind through intervention by pretend play. Acting and role play are common types of pretend play as well as important part of kindergarten curriculum. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between different types of pretend play and the development of children’s theory of mind through experiments, so as to provide basis for kindergartens to perform pretend play.This research would be divided into three parts:pre-test, training and post-test.47out of154children, aged around3-4, are chosen as subjects through tasks of false belief understanding and language control. The subjects are randomly assigned to three even groups according to their age and gender:acting group, role play group and the conservation task group. Different trainings are assigned to these groups. Children in the acting group understand, analyze perform stories which are related to children’s theory of mind chosen by teachers; children in the role play group play house in pairs with guidance of teachers. The other children will accept classic conservation tasks training with guidance of teachers.Results show that:(1) Majority of children at the age of4do not form the understanding of incorrect concepts;(2)3-4years old children in the development of theory of mind has no sex difference.(3)The training of acting can promote the standard of children’s theory of mind;(4)The training of role play can promote the standard of children’s theory of mind;(5)acting group scored higher than the role play group,but do not show much differences in advancing the standard of children’s theory of mind;(6) The number of game training on children, not to improve their theory of mind.(7) Age is not a key issue in theory of mind tasks.