DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
Each child develops at his or her own pace. The information that follows outlines some of the
general characteristics children demonstrate at various age levels. Not all children will progress
at the same pace or rate. Also listed are suggested toys and equipment for each age grouping.
Remember that these are only suggestions. Keep in mind that each child is an individual and
will have his or her own likes, dislikes, strengths and interests. Get to know the children in your
care and have age-appropriate toys and equipment available based on your knowledge.
BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS
Characteristics: Suggested Toys and Equipment:
• Grasps objects • Rattles
• Mouths objects • Nursery mobiles
• Reacts to sound • Soft animals
• Reacts to movement • Crib-gym exercisers
• Needs to be held, hugged • Nested boxes or cups
• Kicks, creeps, crawls, rolls • Picture books
• Recognizes familiar persons • Push-pull toys
• Reacts to facial expressions and other • Musical toys
body language • Pounding toys
• Imitates • Shatter-proof mirrors
• By 18 months is climbing and walking
• Coos, babbles, laughs, jabbers, imitates Required Equipment:
words
• Cribs
• Diapering area
• Car seats
• Age appropriate seating for:
- feeding
- play
All items used must be larger than 1½ inches in diameter to avoid risk of choking.
18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS
Characteristics: Suggested Toys and Equipment:
• Picks up and carries objects • Riding toy to straddle
• Throws • Wagon to climb into
• Climbs, runs, jumps • Child-sized play furniture
• Mouths objects • Blocks
• Points to and names items • Dress-up clothes
• Jumps, hops, skips, runs • Stuffed animals
• Uses two or more words in sentences • Dolls and doll furniture
• Assembles simple puzzles • Simple puzzles with large pieces
• Builds with blocks • Large crayons
• Scribbles, draws • Simple musical instruments
• Follows simple directions • Push-pull toys
• Aware of emotions • Snap together-pull apart toys
• Easily frustrated
• Capable of self-help skills
All items must be larger than 1½ inches in diameter to avoid the possibility of choking.
3 YEARS TO 6 YEARS
Characteristics: Suggested Toys and Equipment:
• Socializes • Puppets
• Independent • Creative and dramatic play clothes and
• Follows two or more step directions props
• Cooperates • Transportation toys
• Draws, colors, writes • Puzzles
• Jumps, hops, skips, runs • Blocks
• Throws and catches balls • Large crayons and paper
• Pretends, acts out • Books
• Communicates verbally and non-verbally • Records, musical instruments
• Shares • Peg-boards, large pegs, and beads
• Longer attention span • Art materials
• Questions • Stacking and interlocking blocks and toys
• Able to identify emotions • Sports equipment
• Capable of self-help skills • Riding toys
• Understands simple jokes • Dolls and doll furniture
Supervise children closely when they play with small toys to avoid the possibility of
choking.
6 YEARS TO 9 YEARS
Characteristics: Suggested Toys and Equipment:
• Develops hand-eye coordination • Board games
• Problem solving skills • Tabletop games
• Masters muscle control • Fashion dolls
• Able to express self through complete • Doll house
sentences • Typewriter/computer
• Constructs complex structures • Transportation toys
• Understands consequences of actions • Construction sets
• Understands simple concepts • Puzzles
• Draws complex pictures • Marbles
• Recognizes and writes symbols • Handicraft items
• Able to control emotions • Art materials
• Able to work independently • Books
• Increased attention span • Sports equipment
• Riding toys
• Dramatic and creative play clothes and
props
• Puppets
9 YEARS OLD AND UP
Characteristics: Suggested Toys and Equipment:
• Model kits
• Advanced communication skills • Dramatic and creative play clothes and
• Developed problem solving skills props
• Creative and imaginative • Sports equipment
• Independent • Art materials
• Recognizes social responsibilities • Board games
• Curious • Jigsaw puzzles
• Able to follow complex directions • Handicrafts
• Increased attention span and ability to • Puppets
concentrate • Books
• Able to think abstractly • Items for experiments in:
• Capable of reading for content and - Planting
pleasure - Science
• Ready to be part of the community - Cooking
• Card games
• Collectibles
- Cards
- Dolls
- Stamps
