Play is the most important occupation of childhood, and the basis through which children learn all other skills. Read on to learn more about the development of play skills by age.
Play Skills by Age
| 6-12 Months | Babies initially participate in exploratory play where they touch, shake, bang, taste, and throw objects to see what will happen. This evolves into functional play where they use objects for their functional purpose, such as rolling a ball or hitting pegs with a hammer. They also enjoy social play games like peek-a-boo. |
| 12-18 Months | Young toddlers start doing simple pretend play, gross motor play such as climbing, rolling, and crawling, and showing interest in other kids while playing |
| 18-24 Months | Older toddlers start using objects during pretend play, and even pretending on object symbolizes another, such as pretending a block is a car. They enjoy playing next to peers and imitating parents and peers during play |
| 24-36 Months | As your child gets closer to the preschool years, their pretend play will get more complex and they will play out stories with their toys. They may show more interest in building with blocks or Legos, drawing, or doing puzzles. Their confidence in gross motor play will continue to grow with more jumping, climbing, and rough-and-tumble play. |
| 3-4 Years | At this age kids continue to use more complex imaginary play, with scripts that reflect real life and characters that demonstrate different feelings. They may enjoy doing art projects and building more complex puzzles or block towers. They also start interacting more with peers during play, including playing games and doing circle time |
| 4-5 Years | Preschoolers begin to enjoy games with simple rules including simple board games and playground games. They like to construct complex structures and enjoy role playing games, dress up games, and pretend play with imaginary characters |
| 5-6 Years | Beginning school-age kids continue to enjoy games with rules, including both competitive and cooperative games. They also enjoy elaborate imaginary play and pretend play that imitates reality. |
| 6-10 Years | As kids continue to get older, they may develop more specific interests in crafts, hobbies, or organized sports. They also often enjoy more complex games with rules including card games and video games that require problem solving and abstract thinking. Social play becomes more important and includes talking, joking, and playing with consistent friends. |
Kids will often gravitate toward certain kinds of play, so don’t be concerned if your imaginative 3-year old doesn’t show much interest in puzzles, or your soccer lover doesn’t care for Legos. However, if you have concerns about your child’s play skills, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation!