This booklet discusses the importance of pretend play in the education of young children in Australia. The booklet notes that pretend, or socio-dramatic, play is characterized by imitative role playing, make-believe objects and situations, persistence, interaction, and verbal communication. Pretend play can appear as early as age 2 and peaks at ages 4 through 6. The booklet discusses the developmental sequence of pretend play, and describes children's pretend play and its benefits. It is argued that it is through complex, self-directed pretend play that young children have the greatest potential to learn, by re-enacting their own life experiences and by sharing and negotiating experiences with other children and adults. Through careful observation, the booklet notes, adults can extend the complexity of pretend play and facilitate children's growth in knowledge, skills, and understanding. (MDM)