Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget theorized in the pre-operational stage between two and seven years, children start using objects or actions to give meanings other than literal ones like using a pasta strainer as a hat. This is symbolic play and marks the beginning of creativity and conceptual learning. The following article provides the three main phases of symbolic play in the preoperational stage from 18 months to 5 years old and how educators can support their learners in each phase.