Have you ever watched a group of toddlers in a room full of toys?
Some sit alone in corners, while others sit right next to each other but completely ignore one another. This isn’t anti-social behaviour, it is science!
In the 1930s, sociologist Mildred Parten Newhall identified six distinct stages of play that children move through as they grow.
Understanding these stages helps parents choose the right toys to naturally boost their child’s social, cognitive and physical development.
1. Unoccupied Play (Birth – 3 Months)
What it looks like
Infants observe their surroundings and make random movements with their arms and legs. This is a child’s very first form of play, helping them learn how their body moves.
The best toys for this stage
- High-contrast cards: Black and white patterns stimulate early visual development. Helping them to stabilise their eyes and head as able.
- Crib mobiles: Moving objects encourage tracking with the eyes. Keeping toys still and moving them slowly will help develop stabilisation of the eyes and visual tracking depending on any visual disturbances. An object crossing midline can be especially difficult for children with visual disturbances such as nystagmus or a squint and we work to support this level of understanding and development within therapy sessions.
- Wrist rattles: Soft rattles strapped to ankles or wrists teach cause-and-effect when they move. If a child has a visual impairment, we may use silent toys to work on their vision rather than the child defaulting and only using their hearing. We want to progress their visual skills to work on their physical development.
2. Solitary Play (Birth – 2 Years)
What it looks like
Children play completely alone. They are fully engrossed in their own world, exploring textures, shapes, and sounds without noticing other children nearby.
Not all children reach this stage of development, especially if they have been born prematurely. They may struggle to process all the sensory stimuli of the world around them to be able to self-regulation. This would be a key area that we help parents navigate during physiotherapy sessions.
The best toys for this stage
- Plush sensory blocks: Black and white patterns stimulate early visual development. Helping them to stabilise their eyes and head as able.
- Stacking cups: Simple cups that teach size, sorting, and hand-eye coordination.
- Shape sorters: Plastic buckets with shaped lids that challenge early problem-solving skills.
3. Onlooker Play (Around Age 2)
What it looks like
A child watches other children play from a distance. They might smile, laugh, or even talk to the other children, but they do not physically join the game. They are learning the “rules” of social interaction.
The best toys for this stage
- Push cars: Toys they can operate while watching others roll cars across the floor.
- Action figures or dolls: Ideal for mimicking the exact movements they see older children making.
- Picture books: Books about playgrounds or friends that introduce social concepts visually.
4. Parallel Play (Age 2+)
What it looks like
Children sit side-by-side playing with similar items, but they play independently. They like being near peers but do not yet interact or collaborate.
The best toys for this stage
- Play-Doh sets: Multiple children can sit at one table using their own tools and dough.
- Building blocks: Big Mega Blocks or wooden blocks let children build their own towers side-by-side.
- Toy kitchens: Multiple toddlers can stand at the same play kitchen "cooking" separate meals.
5. Associative Play (Ages 3 – 4)
What it looks like
Children sit side-by-side playing with similar items, but they play independently. They like being near peers but do not yet interact or collaborate.
The best toys for this stage
- Dress-up clothes: Costumes allow children to assign loose characters to themselves and talk to each other.
- Art supplies: Sharing chunky crayons, safety scissors, and stickers on a large piece of butcher paper.
- Train tracks: Putting pieces together where tracks cross, allowing trains to pass one another.
6. Cooperative Play (Ages 4+)
What it looks like
This is organizational teamwork. Children play together with shared rules, clear roles, and a unified goal; like building a massive fort or winning a game.
The best toys for this stage
- Simple board games: Games like 'Snakes and Ladders' teach turn-taking and rules.
- Large fort-building kits: Rods and sheets that require two or more children to hold and connect.
- Parachute blankets: Large outdoor play parachutes that require a whole group to lift and lower together.
The Takeaway
This is organisational teamwork. Children play together with shared rules, clear roles, and a unified goal; like building a massive fort or winning a game.