This paper discusses the value of role play in facilitating children's language development and suggests strategies for using role play effectively in early childhood and intermediate classrooms. Role play requires the child (1) to listen and observe peer talk and action and to use language memory, attention and concentration behaviors; (2) to negotiate the implementation of roles; and (3) to use life experiences in order to act out people and situations. Role play also gives the child an understanding of what people do and say in life situations, encourages communication by body movement and manipulation of puppets, and facilitates language listening, recall of printed materials and retelling of what has been heard. To develop language through role play, teachers can use both classroom and child focused strategies. The classroom should provide an array of materials from which appropriate objects can be selected and materials chosen which can be used in multiple ways. Suggested teacher interventions range from indirect guidance through selective intervention in child initiated role play to direct management of the role play activity. (RH)