What does Garvey suggest about children's ability to imitate adult behaviors during play?

Garvey's work emphasizes that children's imitation of adult behaviors during play is a significant aspect of how they comprehend and internalize social roles. When children engage in pretend play and mimic adult actions, they are not merely copying physical actions; they are also experimenting with the social dynamics and roles present in their environment. This imitation serves as a tool for children to explore and understand the expectations and behaviors associated with different roles, such as those of parents, teachers, or community members. By doing so, they learn about societal norms and can engage in more complex interactions with their peers. Thus, this aspect of imitation directly relates to children’s cognitive and social development, illustrating the importance of role-playing in their language acquisition and social understanding.

The other options do not encapsulate the full significance of imitation in play as described by Garvey, which emphasizes understanding social roles rather than solely focusing on physical actions or vocabulary usage.