Play Types I

Pediatrics: Development

Age Best Toy Play Type Description

Musical Mobile or Sensorimotor Stimulates both
0-6 month Soft & large toy & Solitary Play motor & sensory

6-9 month Cover & Uncover toys Sensorimotor Learning

(Peek a boo/ Jack in the box) Object permanence
& Solitary Play
Learning
Talking toys, books Vocalization & Speaking
Sensorimotor Purposeful play:
9-12 month Hard plastic blocks A T I & Solitary Build, sort, stack,
(Tickle me Elmo) make, construct
Play

Parallel Play
Learning
Push / Pull Toy Children play Gross motor skills
1-3 yrs. (Wagon, stroller, NEXT to each other (running & jumping)
Toddlers Stacking hard &
plastic NO direct interaction with others NO finger dexterity
Kaplan ATI blocks)
Memory Trick: No Scissors
1 - 3 yrs they play No color pencils
1 by 1 separate

Pretend Play
(dolls, puppets, tea
party, dressup, imitating
adults) Learning
Associative Play,
3-6 yrs. Arts & Crafts Imaginary Play,
Fine motor & Balance
Preschool (crayons & coloring) Yes - Scissors
Symbolic Play A T I Yes - Tricycles
Saunders
Memory Trick:
F - Four years
F - Fake Play (dolls, dressup)

Legos, board games Cooperative Play

6-12 yrs. Collecting cards, C - Creative Learning
Blank paper & crayons C - Collecting Creativity & Creation
School Age
(encourage creativity )
C - Competitive

Learning
Meeting, texting, Peer group
talking with friends socialization
12-18 yrs. Socialization
Adolescent Priority NO Meeting
Encourage meeting 1 - Immediate Post-Op
2 - Immunocompromised
with friends & peers 3 - Contagious

Notes