This blog post is a summary and condensed version of the developmental milestones of play.

Playing with Objects

Sensorimotor-Exploratory Play

What is it? When kids touch and examine objects
Age: 2-4 months
Examples:
- Looking, feeling, holding, licking, banging, rubbing and throwing objects

Relational-Nonfunctional Play

What is it? When children relate more than one object in a way that people don’t usually do
Age: 5-10 months
Examples:
- Stacking, bumping, touching, pushing objects together
- Holding multiple objects
- Offering/accepting objects to/from people

Functional-Conventional Play

What is it? When children relate more than one object in a way that in a functional and conventional way
Age: 10-12 months
Examples:
- Stirring spoon in bowl
- Holding a doll
- Pushing a toy car
- Kissing a teddy bear

Symbolic Play

What is it? This type of play involves a child using something as a symbol for something else. This type of play is the most complex so there are different examples for various ages listed below.
Age: 12-18 mo
- Examples:
  - Pretending to sleep
  - Pretending to drink from a cup
Age: 18-24 mo
- Examples:
  - Pretending a banana is a phone
  - Pressing a play phone against a doll’s ear, putting a doll to sleep
Age: 24-30 mo
- Examples:
  - Pretending to hold an imaginary phone to their ear and speaking into it
  - Pretending to sleep in an imaginary bed
  - Pressing a play phone against a doll’s ear and pretending to speak for the doll
  - Playing house (e.g. laying out food for dolls in a pretend kitchen)

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References

Casby, M. W. (2003). Developmental assessment of play: A model for early intervention. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 24(4), 175-183.

Parten, M. B. (1932). Social participation among pre-school children. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 27(3), 243-269.