The aim of the present study was to describe some modalities of pretend play in visually impaired children during interactions in small groups. The project was developed with four children, aged 4-7 years, with a diagnosis of visual impairment (low vision or blindness), some of them with additional organic problems. Most of them were enrolled in preschool; some of them presented developmental alterations and/or school difficulties. The study comprised six sessions (about 25 minutes each session) with two groups of children. The available toys were typical of pretend play activities (miniature kitchen and bedroom pieces, cars and dolls, etc). The sessions were taped, transcribed and analyzed. Episodes which were representative of children's abilities were selected. Analysis allowed for the identification of children's capacities such as: a) recognition of objects and construction of scenes; b) creation of narratives and episodes of pretend play; c) exploration of objects by a child who usually refused any kind of contact; d) joint construction of meanings. Pretend play situations allowed the recognition of abilities which would normally remain unnoticed in daily or guided activities. Peer interaction and a relatively free play situation, mediated by adults, promoted an environment that was favorable to multiple kinds of elaboration by the children. This proposal, which focused on the process of construction of knowledge and abilities, rather than characterizing the children as to their impairments, enabled the description and enhanced their development.
visual impairments; child development; special education; play