Play is the Way

Play is critical for children’s development and play skills continues to build as children mature. When parents and caregivers are working with their child to communicate, it is targeted during play. So what play should we be targeting at what age? I am happy to provide you with a few idea’s during each age:

6-9 months

• pointing to cars as they pass by

• smile and laugh during people games

• search for hidden objects

• make faces in mirror

9-12 months

• peek-a-boo

• waving to people

• pushing cars and vehicles

• imitates stirring with spoon

• stack blocks and have them crash

12-15 months

• feed dolls and others

• play back and forth with ball

• shape sorter and puzzles

• building tents and forts

• boxes become pretend boats/cars

• pretend to talk on phone or brush teeth

15-18 months

• builds with legos

• plays with pretend cooking toys

• pretends to feed animals and dolls

• plays with stickers

• plays with toys in two different ways

18-21 months

• imitates housework chores such as sweeping or fixing with tools

• groups objects by colors and shapes

• plays with pretend animal figurines

21-24 months

• puts toys away

• flies airplanes in air

• uses pretend tools to fix and build

• stacks towers

• strings beads

24-27 months

• cuts pretend food

• roll and cut play dough

• drawing and coloring

• uses chalk

• pretends to talk on phone

27-30 months

• shares toys with other children

• takes turns with other children

• dress up

30-36 months

• acts out familiar routines such as cooking or being a teacher

• uses doll as playmate

• more interest in high level building and how things operate