| Epoch |
Age |
Description |
Space Management |
Material Management |
Imitation |
Participation |
| Sensorimotor |
0-2 |
Automatic style play with sensory integration & motion in first 18 months -Peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, hide & seek -Imitation with caregivers -Exploration of objects -Simple problem solving |
-Reaches, plays with hands -Crawls -Sit with balance -Sits down -Bends and recovers balance -Climbs low objects |
-Handles/mouths toys and brings objects together -Throws, inserts, pushes, pulls, carries, pounds. |
-Observed facial expressions and physical movement -Simple actions -Present events and adults |
-Solitary play (no effort to interact with other children) -Onlooker play (watches others-speaking but not entering their play) |
| Symbolic and Simple-Constructive |
2-4 |
Make believe and pretend play; experiences represented in play -Shift from solitary play to parallel -Builds simple constructions that represent another object or situation |
Beginning integration of entire body in activities -Complex movements (throwing, jumping, climbing) -More coordinated body movements |
-Manipulation predominates -Feels, pats, dumps, squeezes -Scribbles, string beads, 4-5 piece puzzles -Small muscle activity (hammers, sorts, insert small objects) |
-Of adult routines with toy related mimicry (child feeding doll) -More complex imitation of real world (familiar roles, domestic themes) |
-Parallel play (play besides others) -Snatch and grab, hoarding, no sharing -Associative play (similar activity with groups of 2 or 3) -Some turn taking |
| Dramatic, Complex, Constructive, and Pregame |
4-7 |
Expansion of social participation; Shift from parallel to associative play; dramatic role play enacting child’s experiences, social roles, fairy tales, and myths. Construction is realistic, complex. Daredevil activities involving strength and skill outside. |
Can concentrate on goal instead of movement. -Ease of gross motor movements -More sedate; good muscle control and balance -Hops on one foot, skips, somersaults -Plans and enjoys excursions and trips |
Increase fine motor control allows quick movements, force, pulling -Builds complex structures; 10 piece puzzles -Uses tools to make things; copies; traces |
More complex imitation of real world -Able to use familiar knowledge to construct novel situation (expand on theme of story or TV show) |
Cooperative (groups of 2-5 organized to achieve goal, more complex games and dramatic play) |
| Game |
7-12 |
Games with rules: masters established rules and makes up new ones; risk taking in games; concern with peer status, friendship groups importance; interests in sports and formal groups (e.g., scouts). Interest in how things work, nature, crafts. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Recreational |
12-16 |
Formal peer group orientation: Team work and cooperation; respect for rules; games that challenge skills; competitive sports; realistic constructive projects |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
