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A Unique Child Pretend Play: Practice in pictures - Who's calling?

A pretend telephone communication can demonstrate a very young child's grasp of speaking languages, imitating adult reality and being held in mind, as Anne O'Connor explains.

Jaleel is 16 months old. Both French and English are spoken in his family. He and Steven, an early years practitioner, are sitting together playing games and singing songs. Jaleel wanders off and picks up a pretend mobile phone. He pushes the buttons and puts the phone to his ear.

He walks back over to Steven, who asks him if he's on the phone to his mam. Jaleel puts the phone to Steven's ear and Steven pretends to talk to Jaleel's mother. To finish the conversation, Steven says 'bye bye' and waves. As he repeats the words and gestures, Jaleel copies him, saying 'ba bye', and waving back. Jaleel then wanders off, saying 'ba-bye' with the phone to his ear.

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