Four kinds of pretend-play inhibition, noted in children from 3-9 year
s of age, are described. These include: (a) nonresolution of negative
affective experience through pretend activity, but maintenance of symb
olic representation; (b) noncoordination and disorganization of play o
bjects and activities; (c) perseveration of activity and repetition of
single schemes, and (d) global inhibition of pretend play. Based on a
vailable literature, hypotheses are proposed regarding potential cause
s and developmental sequelae of pretend-play difficulties, in both cog
nitive and socioaffective realms. Implications of these observations f
or examining the relation between affectivity and the development of s
ymbolic cognitive structures are discussed.