Older Infants 7 to 12 months developmental milestones and their abilities and interests: Physical Development
- begins to sit alone.
- begins to creep and crawl onto or into things.
- begins to pull to a stand, cruise (walk holding furniture), and walk alone (10-16 months).
- interest in moving about and practicing motor skills.
- develops "pincer" (thumb and finger) grasp and begins to hold objects with one hand while manipulating them with the other.
- with objects wants to bang, insert, poke, twist, squeeze, drop, shake, bite, throw, open/shut, push/pull, empty/fill, drag along.
- enjoys bath play-kicking and splashing.
Mental Development
- interest in appearing and disappearing (objects and people)-develops "object permanence'' (looks for object out of sight at approximately 11 months).
- interest in container/contained relationship likes to empty cupboards, drawers, and containers of objects.
- interest in letting go and dropping objects (will use string to pull back vanished objects).
- interest in exploration and likes many objects to explore.
- likes to operate simple mechanisms (open/shut, push/pull) and create effects.
- remembers people, objects, games, actions with toys-shows persistence and interest in novelty.
- beginning interest in picture books.
Social Development
- may fear strangers or react to change-plays best with familiar person nearby.
- watches and may imitate others.
- sensitive to social approval and disapproval.
- interest in getting attention and creating social effects.
- enjoys simple social games "peek-a-boo,'' "bye-bye':
- babbles and plays with language-may try to imitate sounds.
- recognizes own name and may begin to point to named objects or obey simple commands.
ALL TOYS
Infants 7-9 months are interested in longer and more extensive exploration of toys. Infants of this age like to
- bang
- insert
- poke
- twist
- squeeze
- drop
- shake
- bite
- throw
- open and shut
- empty and fill
Infants 10-12 months show beginning interest in object mastery and like many objects to explore. Infants of this age like:
- stacking.
- putting in and taking out.
- pouring out.
- fitting one object into another.
- opening and closing.
- pressing levers.
- turning things (not unscrewing yet).
- pushing balls and cars.
Generally, infants in this age range are interested in
- operating simple mechanisms.
- containers and the container/contained relationship.
- appearing and disappearing objects.
As at earlier ages, infants enjoy producing effects by their own actions.
Toys for infants:
- safe for mouthing.
- non-toxic materials.
- no sharp points or edges.
- nonbreakahle, no glass or brittle plastic.
- no small parts to be lodged in throat, ears, nose.
- no parts to entrap fingers, toes, or hands.
- no long strings.
ACTIVE PLAY
Push and Pull Toys
- push toys without rods (simple cars, animals on wheels or rollers).
Ride-On Toys
not suited to age group
Outdoor or Gym Equipment
- infant swings (with adult supervision).
- soft low climbing platform for crawlers.
Sports Equipment
- transparent balls
- chime balls
- flutter balls
- action balls
(All balls given to this age group should be at least 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter, however if any object appears to fit easily in the child's mouth, keep it away from the child.)
MANIPULATIVE PLAY
Construction Toys
- soft blocks.
- rubber blocks.
- rounded wood blocks.
Puzzles
from about 10 months
- brightly colored, lightweight crib and playpen puzzles (2-3 pieces).
Pattern-Making Toys
not suited to age group
Manipulative Toys
- teethers.
- tight sturdy cloth toys.
- toys on suction cups.
- small, hand-held manipulables.
- disks/keys on rings.
- squeeze-squeak toys.
- roly-poly toys.
- activity boxes and cubes.
- pop-up boxes (easy operation).
- containers with object to empty and fill.
- large rubber or plastic pop beads.
- simple nesting cups.
- stacking ring cones (few rings and safe stick).
- graspable (unbreakable) mirror toys which can be held and played with.
- loses interest in crib gyms and toys suspended above when can sit up and move about (crib gyms can create a strangulation hazard stop using when child can push up on hands and knees at about 5 months of age).
Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys
not suited to age group
Sand and Water Play Toys
- activity boxes for bath.
- simple floating toys.
MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY
Dolls
- soft baby dolls soft-bodied dolls, or rag dolls-all with molded (not loose) hair.
Stuffed Toys
- small plush animals.
- music box animals (operated and monitored for safety by adult).
- grab or soft toys.
- big soft toys for hugging arid roughhousing.
Puppets
- soft hand puppets-child may handle but must be operated as puppets by adult
Role Play Materials
- low wall-mounted mirrors to see self sit, creep, crawl, etc.
Play Scenes (Including Small Figures)
not suited to age group
Transportation Toys
- simple push cars (one-piece).
Projectile Toys
not suited to age group
CREATIVE PLAY
(arts crafts. music)
Musical Instruments
- rubber or wood blocks that rattle or tinkle.
Art and Craft Materials
from about 12 months
- large paper.
- large crayons for scribbling.
Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
- records tapes or CDs (simple songs, lullabies, music with simple rhythms).
- music boxes.
LEARNING PLAY
Games
nor suited to age group
Specific Skill Development Toys
not suited to age group
Books
- cloth books.
- plastic books.
- small cardboard books.
Note Some children enjoy lap reading (being read to) from this age onward. When adult-held, paper picture books are appropriate.
Adapted from the CPSC Which Toy for Which Child booklet
|
