What type of play involves a child using a doll as an agent to act out scenarios?

The answer is focused on the concept of symbolic play, which involves children using objects, including dolls, to represent different roles or scenarios in their play. In this type of play, a child might use a doll to act out specific situations or narratives, effectively using the doll as an agent. This allows for creativity and imagination, as the child can explore various roles and dynamics that might not be possible in their real-life experiences.

Symbolic play is a critical aspect of cognitive development, as it reflects a child’s ability to understand that one object can represent another, which is an essential cognitive skill. Through this play, children often engage in storytelling, role-playing, and exploring social interactions, which are vital for their emotional and social development.

In contrast, constructive play typically involves building or creating something with materials like blocks or art supplies, while physical play focuses on activities that promote gross motor skills involving movement, such as running or jumping. Figurine play may sound similar, but it usually refers more broadly to play that involves figures in general rather than the specific scenario-based representation that characterizes symbolic play.