Child Development Through Play: The First Two Years

October 17, 2013 | Guylaine Bergeron

The series of articles below describe the skills acquired during childhood. These skills develop sequentially and any reference to age may vary from one child to another. For example, certain children can develop motor skills more quickly than average while they might lag behind in terms of language development, and vice versa. Concrete examples are provided to show the relationship between the stages of a child’s development and the games that draw his or her interest.

During the first stage of development – called sensory-motor –, children undergo major changes that allow them to go from a state of total dependency to a burgeoning sense of autonomy. This change occurs during the first two years.

Infants – Birth to 6 months

Very young babies awaken to their environment using their senses. Within the first few weeks, they respond to familiar voices and feel comfortable among those who satisfy their vital needs. They have their fist social response at three months, to their parents’ delight: they crack a smile! Any toy that has the features of a human face will provoke this reaction. Their senses can be stimulated with sound-emitting or colourful toys that catch their eye. At around three months, they learn to locate things in space and follow objects with their eyes. They explore textured objects that are held out to them and bring them to their mouth. Moving erratically at first, their hands gradually manage to reach their target with accuracy. This is called hand-eye coordination. At five months, babies are able to close their hand over an objet, and maintain and release their grip. They have learned the prehension gesture. It is now time to give them rattles that are small and easy to grasp, which they can bring to their mouth (Squeaking animals). It is also at five months that they acquire what is called object recognition. You will notice that they get fidgety when they are handed their bottle or their favourite toy. They recall the pleasure this object delivers and express their desire for it.

Young babies – Six to 18 months

At seven months, children manage to sit up straight, which changes what they can see compared to a lying position. They can manipulate objects more easily and explore more freely (Sweet Baby Blocks; Chain-An-Inchworm). They take pleasure in repeating the same steps over and over again and watching what happens, such as dropping a toy from their highchair and crying for their mother to give it back! It is a good idea to hang rattles from their stroller or highchair (Link'ems). Several gestures related to gross motor development are learned at seven months: shaking, throwing, turning, pushing, rolling, etc. Several toys can be used to practice these skills. Since children move around by crawling, it is time to encourage them to move about by giving them toys that roll with the slightest push (Baby's First Ball; Roll Around Shape Sorter).

At eight months, an emotional phenomenon occurs. For a few weeks, babies experience a form of anxiety in their parents’ or babysitter’s absence. This is called eight-month anxiety. At this time, they need cuddly toys to which they can become attached and that will bring comfort when it is time to wake up or go to sleep (Animal Plushes - Elephant).

At eight months, children develop the sense of object permanence. They know that an object continues to exist even though they can no longer see it. It is possible to verify this sense with certain toys (Peek-a-boo farm). Another sign of intellectual development is when children understand causality – the action-reaction sequence. Several toys are designed to help the child understand the idea of cause and effect (Surprise play farm). The sounds and visual effects that certain toys make encourage children to repeat gestures.

Toddler – Eighteen to 24 months

Between the ages of 1 and 2 years, children start to use certain words in order to be understood, and their vocabulary grows little by little. They enjoy looking at picture books with their parents and point out the objects they know. Their first wooden puzzles are great tools to develop their vocabulary and help them to recognize shapes and colours (Jumbo Knob Puzzles - Fruit Basket; Puzzle with Raised Pieces - Wooden Pets). Walking, which is an important step in children’s motor development, allows them to widen their physical environment. A way to help them do this is to give them objects they can lean on while they walk (Baby walker). As soon as their balance improves, they love pulling – and especially pushing – toys that make noise as they roll (Colour rollers).

During their first year, children improve their coordination and develop muscle strength. They learn to climb, to run, to jump, and they need to move around. To improve dexterity, they enjoy stackable toys and toys that roll or bounce (Stack 'N Roll Tumbling Tower; Pound N Play; Fun Park). Since bath time now rhymes with fun, it is the right time to give them various play toys (Colour penguins; Sailboats in shapes and colours).

As you can see, the first two years of children’s lives are crucial for their development. Playtime is an integral part of their life, and well-designed play objects will help them to grow and acquire the skills they need. But remember this: as interesting as it is in itself, no toy or object is a substitute for the pleasure a child takes in playing with you!

Based on your personal or professional experience, what toys were most rewarding or fun for you?