Child Development: Sensorimotor Stage Activities
Sensorimotor Stage: Functional Games
Children in the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years) develop skills in all areas. They make things, move, use objects, study, and experiment with objects and people. Construction play begins at this stage, in a simple and basic way.
0 to 3 Months
From the first day, a small child is able to look around. However, they can only see people and objects clearly when they are very close. The child is attracted to objects in motion, as well as light and colorful ones. These new stimuli capture their interest and attention, but they lose interest when the stimuli are repeated or when they get used to them.
Games: Luminous, moving, and sound-producing objects, such as rattles and mobiles, are attractive to children. They are also entertained by looking at adults’ faces, and by adults talking to them. An atmosphere rich in stimuli is very necessary for children and their development.
Toys: At this age, the baby’s own body is a toy. Their hands and feet, as well as an adult’s caresses, smiles, and eyes, are sources of stimulation. Other toys include colored ribbons, mobile phone pendants, and rubber objects that make sounds.
3 to 6 Months
The child is able to look at a mobile object and follow it for a longer period. They can now raise their hands to move the object slightly and smile in response to an adult’s touch. The baby does not tire of repeating actions again and again. They still spend more time playing than before, but their basic needs must be met first.
Games: In addition to their body and the adult’s body, the child can now touch mobile objects with their hands. They will touch toys, rattles, rings, and other objects. Toys should provide sensory stimuli and offer opportunities for exploration.
Toys: Their body and those of adults, music, moving objects, colored cloth or plastic balls, blankets for the stroller.
6 to 12 Months
Babies make remarkable progress and begin to understand facts. They move toward greater autonomy. Their play evolves, their curiosity increases, and they begin to explore their surroundings. They start to turn, drag objects, crawl, and eventually walk.
Games: The baby is capable of manipulating objects with their hands. They spend a lot of time picking things up off the ground and hitting them against each other. They throw things and then retrieve them. They will throw an object that an adult has thrown to them. The adult will throw it again and again, as it is a source of pleasure and play. Object-based activities become increasingly important. The child is interested in searching for and displaying objects. This is a time for manipulation, exploration, and discovery through knowledge and curiosity about new objects.
Toys: Rubber or plastic balls, rolling fabric toys, walkers, colorful objects, songs, and stories.