Cognitive: 

• Realistic looking play food helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play.  They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract “things”.

• Many pieces in each set so children can incorporate counting and repetition into play. 

Communicative: 

• Realistic-looking play food helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. 

• Enough food in each set that children can begin parallel play – playing with the same item next to each other, but not interacting and then cooperative play as skills develop.

• Encourages full sentences by asking for items using descriptive words

• Realistic food enables children to learn to recognize real items in a store, restaurant or at home.   

Physical: 

• Encourage a child who may have a weaker side to use both hands and arms in play.  

• Food in the basket encourages children to bring their arm up and reach into the basket to retrieve a food item promoting range of motion in the arms.  

Sensory:

• Distinct texture adds to realism and aids children with visual impairments.