Problem Solving Development

4-9 months

• Explores objects with fingers, hands, toes
• Works to get objects out of reach
• Turns head toward bright colors and lights
• Explores objects by touching, mouthing, shaking, and banging
• Looks for ball rolled out of sight

9-12 months

• Finds toys hidden under boxes
• Imitates actions from memory
• Uses objects by function (phone to ear)
• Shows interest in picture books

12-18 months

• Plays simple games such as peek-a-boo
• Likes to take things apart
• Tries a number of things to activate toy (turns, bangs, pushes button)

18-24 months

• Plays alongside a friend (parallel play)
• Begins simple pretend play (talking on the phone, putting baby to bed)
• Completes simple puzzles of 2-3 pieces
• Points to a body part

2-3 years

• Group objects by category
• Engages in imaginative play with common household objects
• Names objects and points to many objects in one picture
• Stacks rings on a peg in order of size
• Completes more complex puzzles

3-4 years

• Engages in elaborate pretend play
• Experiments with cause and effect in play
• Understands basic concepts like tallest, biggest, same, more, etc.
• Asks who, what, where, and why questions
• Understands more complex words like time words (yesterday, tomorrow) and words to describe emotions (happy, disappointed)

5-6 years

• Places four pictures in sequence
• Imitates series of actions
• Sorts and classifies by category
• Learning to read and write basic words and numbers

Problem Solving Activities

Infants

• Allow your infant to feel different textures
• Provide experiences for your baby to look at a variety of colors, shapes and objects
• Talk about your baby’s world
• Sing to your baby and play music
• Read daily to your baby

Toddlers

• Play peek-a-boo
• Play hide-and-seek with objects
• Encourage play with puzzles, blocks, nesting toys and drawing materials
• Provide a variety of toys and activities that require your child to problem solve
• Play music and sing
• Read daily to your child

2-3 years

• Sort objects by color, shape, etc.
• Help your child “write” his own book by writing his words while he or she draws the pictures
• Teach the words; on, under, behind, around by playing games like Simon Says
• Provide a “dress-up” box for your child for imaginative play
• Read daily to your child

3-4 years

• Teach your child to count and recognize the numbers 1-10
• Conduct simple science experiments
• Play the memory game
• Compare objects of differing size and weight
• Cut objects into fractions of ½, ¼, etc.
• Read daily to your child

5-6 years

• Plant a garden with your child
• Show your child how to make simple recipes using measurements
• Allow your child to have a lemonade stand, making the lemonade and counting change
• Help your child write his or her name
• Read daily to your child