When children engage in pretend play they often enact parts of experiences they've had and take the roles of others. This play helps them to build their understanding of the world, practice and develop their language skills, to take different perspectives and use symbols to represent objects. When pretend playing with others, children must engage in negotiation, joint planning, problem solving and goal seeking. Research continues to demonstrate the importance of play in the development of young children: The value of play

One great way to spark pretend play is to give children a big empty cardboard box. Turn it upside-down and cut out a door as Meeow does in this book and watch the magic unfold. What do you think Meeow is making out of his box?