About ten minutes if useful. Pause, repeat, change or finish anytime.
Say this, or use your own words
How would you like to make our pretend place?
More words, only if useful: We can tell a story, make a picture, or ask someone to help make our idea. Which way sounds good now? If you like, we can try another way with the same idea. You get to choose what stays the same.
Ready in a moment
A blank page, oral/sign/AAC play or the optional local digital helper. Adult setup and ongoing support are needed for screen use. Paper and no-material routes stay complete.
A loose play path
- 0–2 minutes: Let the child choose how to make the pretend place: a mark, story, familiar communication or direction to an adult. Use a fresh idea or an actual wanted earlier one. Making one part comes first; trying another form is optional.
- 2–5 minutes: Make or describe one meaningful part. If using the helper, let the child choose a place, visitor or need, then use the visible suggestion in their own story; it is supplied art.
- 5–8 minutes: If wanted, represent the same chosen meaning another way. Ask what stayed and what changed. Different forms can show different details; do not require an exact visual copy.
- 8–10 minutes: Keep the way that works for this turn, or leave both open. A mode preference today is not a permanent learning-style label.
Choose the useful route
- Draw or arrange: Make one original picture part, then narrate its meaning or direct an adult to describe it. Keep the source picture visible if useful. A story can add details; name which ideas are new rather than claiming every word was visible in a mark.
- Tell, sign or point: Choose an oral, sign or AAC story and, only if wanted, direct one drawing of a named part. The adult checks its meaning and their own contribution. No forced speech, handwriting or change of the child's established communication system.
- Small start or no materials: Say ‘I can help make the place you choose’ and offer two spoken place ideas plus an own idea. With the optional screen helper, adult operation on clear direction is labelled as such; screen presence alone shows no child digital skill.
Two ideas to borrow or change
- Architecture fiction: A child describes a tall pretend room, then asks the adult for a broad rectangular outline. The child chooses its quiet corner. Their planning and message remain useful without a claim of independent drawing or construction.
- Story play: A helper's supplied cloud-room drawing starts a tale about a visitor waiting for a message. The child invents the tale; the helper artwork remains credited supplied art and does not become an original child drawing.
Notice, then choose the next move
Notice actual selected meaning, available forms and the adult's support. A screen tap is not automatically purposeful system exploration; no child data is saved by the local helper.
Later, with or without this session: Offer the currently useful mode again or choose a different one. No earlier product or screen use is needed.
More play, only if wanted: Give one story idea two possible forms and let the child pick which is useful for its recipient here. Leave either form partly made if wanted.
Optional aid: A place of my own · exact text alternative
Adult intention: Choose a representation and optionally carry an agreed meaning into another form.
All starts · Parent guide · Play helper · Sources and limits
© NeuroForgeIO Pty Ltd 2026 · CC BY 4.0. Adapt freely with credit.