How Should My Toddler Play? Typical Play Skills Development

This video is about "Play Skills by Age"

6-12 months
-Plays social games like peek-a-boo or patty cake
-Uses a few social gestures, like waving or pointing
-Shows preference for certain toys
-Using items the way they are intended Functional

1-2 years
-12-15 emerging use of tool like a spoon, to a cup to pour and dump beans or in the bathtub, or a hammer with a hammer and peg toy
-Does simple pretend play, like feed a doll 18 mos
-Recruits help from parent when playing with you, like looking at you and giving you the bubble wand to blow more bubbles
-Imitates adults in play
-Engages in parallel play
-Talks to self during play

2-3 years
-Watches other children and briefly joins in their play
-Participates in associative play
-Begins to play house
-Uses objects symbolically; for example, uses a crayon to pretend to give baby a bottle
-Uses toys as complete objects rather than becoming preoccupied with one part of the toy

3 years-4 years
-Completes puzzle with three or four pieces
-Pretends to play different characters with you or talk for dolls or stuffed animals
-Takes turns and plays cooperatively
-Begins dramatic play, acting out whole scenes

Suggested Citation: Harstad L, Baum C, Yatchmink Y. Play Skills by Age. Developed for the Autism Case Training: A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Curriculum. 2013.

🙋‍♀️ Hi! I’m Kayla (Chalko) Gonzales, a licensed speech-language pathologist in California specializing in early intervention for toddlers with speech delays.

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Disclaimer: I’m a licensed speech-language pathologist in California. These videos are meant for general education. Every child is different; this should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with a professional in your area.