What are the different types of play per age?

Unoccupied play is when a baby moves for no reason, such as kicking their legs. This is the first sign of play. Playing alone is when children play alone, they explore the world around them. Onlooker play is when a child watches other children play, and does not join in. Parallel play is when children play next to each other, but do not interact, this usually happens between 2 and 3 years old. Associative play is when children play together, but have different ideas and goals, this usually happens between 3 and 5 years old. Cooperative play is when children start working together towards a common goal, this usually happens between 4 and 6 years old.

Unoccupied Play occurs from 0-3 Months, at this stage Baby is just making a lot of movements with their arms, legs, hands, feet, etc. They are learning about and discovering how their body moves. Solitary Play occurs from 0-2 Years, this is the stage when a child plays alone, they are not interested in playing with others quite yet. Spectator/Onlooker Behavior occurs around 2 Years, during this stage, a child begins to watch other children playing but does not play with them. Parallel Play occurs around 2+ Years, when a child plays alongside or near others but does not play with them. Associate Play occurs from 3-4 Years, when a child starts to interact with others during play, but there is not a large amount of interaction at this stage. Cooperative Play occurs from 4+ Years, when a child plays together with others and has interest in both the activity and other children involved in playing. These stages are general guidelines for what to expect of your child’s play skills, but remember every child is different. Play starts when we are babies, but it does not stop there, including play in your child’s daily routine and giving them time to play is important for their development at every age.

What your baby can do at 0-3 months Listen, observe, begin to recognise people, objects and places, smile and coo, kick, wriggle, turn head and try to roll. The best toys for a 3 month old: Colourful, tinkling mobiles to watch and listen to; baby gym in the cot; pictures or postcards in the cot or pram to look at; music boxes; music on the radio or TV, mirrors, a rug to kick on, jangly toys to touch with the hands or feet. What you can do with your 0-3 month old: Carry your baby around; talking to them about their surroundings or anything else; sing to your baby; lie them where they can see things happening – trees, people, moving objects, other children. What a 3-6 month old can do: Reach, begin to grasp, chew, put things in her mouth, roll, squirm, follow objects with her eyes. The best toys for 3-6 month olds: Rattles and safe objects she can chew on. What you can do with your 3-6 month old: Let them sit with a tray of different objects in front of them. What a 6-12 month old can do: Make sounds and communicate, recognise people, learn that people go away and come back again. The best toys for a 6-12 month old: Other people are her favourite playthings, but they will also loves teddies, dolls, soft cuddly animals and simple games such as peek-a-boo. What you can do with your 6-12 month old: Talk and listen to your baby; take them out and about where they can see other people.