The study investigated the developmental characteristics of preschool children’s pretend play behaviors and the relationship between the pretend play behaviors and children’s verbal abilities and family play backgrounds. Observation was made of 72 preschool children’s pretend play behaviors

their verbal abilities were measured

and their family play backgrounds were surveyed. Results revealed: Solitary pretend play behaviors decreased while social pretend play behaviors increased as children grew up; Gender differences were significant in the children’s pretend play behaviors; After control for the variable of age

the correlation between language and pretend play behaviors was not significant; Parents’ participation and / or involvement in children’s pretend play was important for the development of children’s pretend play behaviors. In conclusion

There was a clear developmental trend and gender difference in pretend play behaviors of the suburban preschool children. Influences of parental participation and / or involvement on children’s pretend play behaviors should be assessed in future studies.