Pretend play and patterns of cognition in Down's syndrome children.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between cognitive functioning of Down's syndrome subjects as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and their symbolic play level. Subjects ranged in chronological age from 20 to 53 months and in mental age from 12 to 26 months. Each child was seen at home with the mother or primary caretaker present. A 1/2-hour play session was videotaped, followed by administration of the Bayley Mental Scale and Infant Behavior Record. Analysis of play behavior supported a 4-level scale. Symbolic play level was more highly correlated with mental age than with chronological age. Performance on the Infant Behavior Record was also highly correlated with symbolic play level.