Young Infants 0 to 6 Months developmental milestones and their abilities and interests: Physical Development
- visual focus matures - follows objects with eyes.
- learns to localize sounds and turns to see.
- gains control of hands-learns to bat, then reach and grasp objects.
- discovers feet-brings feet to mouth and explores with feet.
- begins to sit with support.
- large muscle play may include rolling, scooting, rocking, bouncing.
Mental Development
- explores world with eyes and ears and begins to explore with hands and feet and mouth.
- enjoys creating effects in the environment by own actions.
- begins to recognize familiar people, objects and even events - then to anticipate them.
- become aware of novelty and strangeness in people, objects and events.
- develops definite preferences for certain people, objects and events.
- may imitate simple movements if in own repertoire.
- does one thing at a time.
Social Development
- special interest in people (faces and voices especially).
- begins to smile at faces, voices and mirror image.
- quits crying when sees face or hears voice.
- begins to seek attention and contact with people.
- distinguishes among familiar people and has preferences.
- begins to coo and gurgle, babble and laugh aloud, play with sounds.
- listens to voices and may imitate sounds already in own repertoire.
ALL TOYS
Toys for this age are primarily for looking listening, sucking or fingering.
Infants 0-2 months enjoy seeing and hearing interesting things.
Infants 2-6 months show growing interest in touching, holding, batting turning, shaking, kicking, mouthing and tasting objects.
Infants like to see:
- bright primary colors.
- high contrast.
- simple designs.
- clear lines and features.
- human face features (esp eyes).
- bull's eye pattern.
Infants enjoy watching hanging objects or mobiles that move by wind, wind-up action, or infant's own activity.
Toys for watching should be suspended only 8-14 inches (200-160 mm) from the infant's eyes and angled toward his/her eyes, then moved up out of reach when he/she can touch them.
Toys for watching are more appealing if they move and make noise (but movement should be slow and noise not too loud or sudden).
Infants enjoy variety.
Infants enjoy producing effects on toys by their own activity.
Toys for holding should be light and easy to grasp.
Mouthable toys should have all safety features recommended for infants:
- no sharp points or edges
- no small parts to be lodged in throat, ears, nose.
- no electrical pans.
- nontoxic materials.
- no glass or brittle plastic.
- no pans to entrap fingers, toes, hands.
- no long strings.
ACTIVE PLAY
Push and Pull Toys
not suited to age group
Ride-On Toys
not suited to age group
Outdoor or Gym Equipment
- infant swings (with adult supervision).
Sports Equipment
from about 6-8 weeks
- clutch balls.
- texture balls.
- soft squeeze balls.
(All balls given to this age group should be at least 1-1/4 inches (44 mm) in diameter, however it any object appears to fit easily in the child's mouth keep it away from the child.)
MANIPULATIVE PLAY
Construction Toys
from about 4 months
Puzzles
not suited to age group
Pattern Making Toys
not suited to age group
Manipulative Toys
from about 6-8 weeks
- simple rattles.
- teethers.
- light, sturdy cloth toys.
- squeeze toys.
- toys suspended above or to the side of infant for batting and grasping.
from about 4 months
- disks, keys on ring.
- interlocking plastic rings.
- small hand-held manipulables.
- toys on suction cups.
- crib gyms (children who can push up on hands and knees can strangle on crib gyms - be sure to remove crib gym from crib or playpen at this time).
Dressing, Lacing, Stringing Toys
not suited to age group
Sand and Water Play Toys
not suited to age group
MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY
Dolls
- soft baby dolts, soft-bodied dolls, or rag dolts-all with molded (not loose) hair.
Stuffed Toys
- small plush animals.
- music box animals (operated and monitored for safety by adults).
- grab-on soft toys.
Puppets
- soft hand puppets (held and moved by adults).
Role-Play Materials
- mirrors (large, unbreakable) fastened to crib, playpen or wall (peak interest in mirrors 4-6 months).
Play Scenes (Including Small Figures)
not suited to age group
Transportation Toys
not suited to age group
Projectile Toys
not suited to age group
CREATIVE PLAY
(arts crafts. music)
Musical Instruments
not suited to age group
Art and Craft Materials
not suited to age group
Audio-Visual Equipment (Adult Operated)
- records tapes or CDs (gentle regular rhythms lullabies).
- music boxes.
LEARNING PLAY
Games
nor suited to age group
Specific Skill Development Toys
not suited to age group
Books
may enjoy listening to a story being read.
Adapted from the CPSC Which Toy for Which Child booklet
|
