Either it is a kitchen, restaurant, space ship, doctor's office, or tree house, the place where children pretend is vital to their learning. They use abstract thinking skills to re-create real life situations and thoughts from their vivid imagination. Children must be able to picture experiences in their mind, recall information, and verbally express these thoughts to others. They are able to cooperate and present these ideas to their friends as they role-play. The ability to function socially in a structured environment is extremely valuable in their future educational experience.