What term does Garvey use to describe play that involves taking on roles and identities?

The term that Garvey uses to describe play that involves taking on roles and identities is sociodramatic play. This form of play is characterized by children engaging in complex narratives where they adopt various roles and create scenarios that often mimic real-life situations. In sociodramatic play, children not only explore different characters but also negotiate the roles and responsibilities that come with them, allowing for rich social interactions and the development of interpersonal skills.

Sociodramatic play typically involves collaboration and imagination, where children work together to create stories and situations, facilitating a deeper understanding of social dynamics and emotional expression. This type of play is significant in child development as it supports cognitive, social, and emotional growth.

Other terms like imaginative play may cover a broader category of creative play, and role-play could refer specifically to adopting a character for a brief time without the elaborate narratives and social interactions found in sociodramatic play. Structured play refers to organized activities with specific rules, which do not necessarily involve the free exploration of identities and roles as seen in sociodramatic play. Thus, the precision of sociodramatic play makes it the most accurate descriptor in this context.