The evolution of the game from 3 to 5 years old

The way a toddler changes as a toddler grows up. He goes to the parallel game, then to the collective game from the solo game. Knowing the game's developmental stages will help you have realistic expectations of your child.

Play with others

Toddlers can play with other children between the ages of 3 and 4 for a few minutes. When he wants a toy, the person who uses it not only locks it in his hand but also asks. However, conflicts still occur frequently. A child at this age likes to play with a friend more than most people. Their interactions with other children become more interesting than the activity, but cooperation in the game is still not.

By the age of 4 or 5, the child gradually realizes that others also have rights. At this age, he learns to do his part and wait. He has a lot more fun playing with so many kids than alone.

Even if he does not want to lose, the child can participate in group games with simple rules and enjoy these games. He also had a good understanding of the principle of mutual aid. He is even more inclined to compromise to find his place in the group. During conflicts, aggressive gestures are replaced by words, which testify to a certain maturity.

 

To help your children play with others, see our Learning to Play sheet with others.

Types of games by age

To properly support the child in his game development, it will be helpful to know the different types of games. It also helps to know what to expect about what he can do.

Motor games

Between the ages of three and five, a kid eagerly explores the possibilities of his body. He can jump, climb and have fun at different speeds or ways. He enjoys going to the park, playing chase games (e.g., tagging), playing ball, and riding a scooter, tricycle, or bike, depending on what he can do. He also poses physical challenges to himself and is proud of having succeeded in them, for example: "I'm going to jump like a puddle. ⁇

Manipulative games

Between the ages of 3 and 5, the proper use of tools (pencils and scissors) makes the child more interested because he likes to plan, create and enjoy the final product. He has better attention (about 10 to 15 minutes), and he is more patient. Therefore, he will have fun puzzles with even more pieces (6 to 15 pieces). He likes to build structures (e.g., house, car, plane) that he often wants to include in his imaginary games. At this age, the child is no longer aiming only for instant gratification, and he may make efforts to gain happiness a little later.

Intuitive games

Between the ages of 3 and 5, a child can play with the same toy or the same theme for 10 to 15 minutes. He can also occupy himself by playing for 30 to 60 minutes.

Between the ages of 3 and 4, a toddler enjoys imitating the reality they are familiar with (e.g., imitating a shaving father). He spends a ton of alert to piece, which he likes to use when acting. Moreover, his imitations no longer necessarily have to perform other actions simultaneously. For example, he can now create a shaving father in a daycare role-playing game. As a child, he mimicked gestures he observed (e.g., pretending to be shaving next to his father while shaving).

At this age, the kid enjoys spoofing animals and using toys that symbolize reality (e.g., toy lawnmower, doctor tools, toy bottle). If he does not have the toy object he needs, he can take one object and pretend it represents another (e.g., take marbles and say they are peas).

Between the ages of 4 and 5, children have more and more imagination. He discovers new scenes from a theme he saw in a book or on television while playing with his toys or having fun playing role-playing games. Playing like someone else (doctor, cashier, mechanic) is a lot of fun, especially if he is under adult supervision or plays with other kids. He also likes to dress up and wear makeup.

Remember

1_Toddlers between the ages of 3 and 4 start playing together for a few minutes.

2_Between the ages of 4 and 5, a child learns to share, wait for his turn, and compromise in his games.

3_The child learns by playing. All kinds of games are beneficial for their development.