Development Tactics Library
71evidence-based activities — filtered by your child's age and development area
Age Stage
Development Area
71 tactics found
Tummy Time Starter
0 – 3 Months · Physical · 3–5 mins
PH
▼Firm flat surfaceColorful toy or your face
Chest-to-Chest Hold
0 – 3 Months · Physical · 10–15 mins
PH
▼Slow Follow
0 – 3 Months · Physical · 5 mins
PH
▼Bright toy or rattle
Narrate Everything
0 – 3 Months · Cognitive · Throughout the day
CG
▼Name Call Game
0 – 3 Months · Cognitive · 5 mins
CG
▼Sound Conversation
0 – 3 Months · Language · 5–10 mins
LG
▼Smile Mirror
0 – 3 Months · Social · 5 mins
SO
▼Small unbreakable mirror (optional)
Silly Faces
0 – 3 Months · Social · 5 mins
SO
▼The 5 S's Routine
0 – 3 Months · Emotional · As needed
EM
▼Light swaddle blanket
Daily Sing-Along
0 – 3 Months · Creative · 10 mins
CR
▼Your voice
Roll Encouragement
3 – 6 Months · Physical · 5 mins
PH
▼Soft play mat
Reach & Grab Gym
3 – 6 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Play gym or hanging toys
Texture Treasure Basket
3 – 6 Months · Cognitive · 15 mins
CG
▼Small basketSafe objects: wooden spoon, fabric square, silicone teether, metal cup
Babble Echo
3 – 6 Months · Language · 10 mins
LG
▼Comedy Routine
3 – 6 Months · Social · 10 mins
SO
▼Anticipation Game
3 – 6 Months · Emotional · 5 mins
EM
▼Drum & Beat
3 – 6 Months · Creative · 10 mins
CR
▼Wooden spoonPot or container
Tripod Sitting Practice
6 – 12 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Cushions for surrounding support
Treasure Hunt Crawl
6 – 12 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Safe toysOpen floor space
Obstacle Course
6 – 12 Months · Physical · 15 mins
PH
▼Pillows, rolled blankets, cushions
Cheerio Challenge
6 – 12 Months · Physical · 5 mins
PH
▼Soft puffed cereal or small soft food pieces
Classic Peek-a-Boo
6 – 12 Months · Cognitive · 10 mins
CG
▼Light blanket or your hands
Cup Hide
6 – 12 Months · Cognitive · 5 mins
CG
▼3 plastic cupsSmall toy
Name First Always
6 – 12 Months · Language · Throughout day
LG
▼Gesture Routines
6 – 12 Months · Language · Throughout day
LG
▼Predictable Goodbye Routine
6 – 12 Months · Social · 2 mins
SO
▼Emotion Narration
6 – 12 Months · Emotional · Throughout day
EM
▼Kitchen Band
6 – 12 Months · Creative · 15 mins
CR
▼Pots, wooden spoon, plastic container, metal bowl
Walk to Me
12 – 18 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Push Toy Walk
12 – 18 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Push-along toy cart or shopping trolley
Block Tower Challenge
12 – 18 Months · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Large wooden or soft blocks (4+)
Follow Their Point
12 – 18 Months · Cognitive · Throughout day
CG
▼Book Time Daily
12 – 18 Months · Language · 10–15 mins
LG
▼Simple picture books with one word per page
Sportscaster Narration
12 – 18 Months · Language · Throughout day
LG
▼Chores Together
12 – 18 Months · Social · 10–20 mins
SO
▼Child-safe versions of real objects
Request & Receive Affection
12 – 18 Months · Emotional · Throughout day
EM
▼Big Paper Scribble
12 – 18 Months · Creative · 10 mins
CR
▼Large paper (newspaper works)Chunky crayons (triangular grip)
Active Park Time
18 – 24 Months · Physical · 30 mins
PH
▼Soft ball
Color Sorting Game
18 – 24 Months · Cognitive · 10 mins
CG
▼Colored blocks or objects3 colored containers
Expand What They Say
18 – 24 Months · Language · Throughout day
LG
▼Playgroup Observation
18 – 24 Months · Social · 30–60 mins
SO
▼Calm Container Strategy
18 – 24 Months · Emotional · 5–10 mins
EM
▼Pretend Kitchen
18 – 24 Months · Creative · 20 mins
CR
▼Toy pots/bowls or real plastic containersWooden spoon
Jumping Games
2 – 3 Years · Physical · 10 mins
PH
▼Tape or chalk marks on floor
Count Everything
2 – 3 Years · Cognitive · Throughout day
CG
▼Question Conversations
2 – 3 Years · Language · 10 mins
LG
▼Story Retell
2 – 3 Years · Language · 10 mins
LG
▼Familiar picture book
Structured Turn-Taking
2 – 3 Years · Social · 15 mins
SO
▼Simple game: shape sorter, ball rolling
Feelings Face Cards
2 – 3 Years · Emotional · 10 mins
EM
▼Printed or drawn face cards showing emotions
Family Portrait
2 – 3 Years · Creative · 15 mins
CR
▼PaperCrayons or markers
Hopscotch
3 – 5 Years · Physical · 15 mins
PH
▼Chalk or tape
Environmental Print Hunt
3 – 5 Years · Cognitive · 10 mins
CG
▼Books, food packages, street signs on a walk
Name Writing Practice
3 – 5 Years · Cognitive · 5 mins
CG
▼Pencilpaper or whiteboard
Storytelling Box
3 – 5 Years · Language · 20 mins
LG
▼Box with 5–8 small random objects (toy car, stone, button, leaf)
Simple Board Games
3 – 5 Years · Social · 20 mins
SO
▼Age-appropriate board game (Snakes & Ladders, Orchard games)
Effort Praise
3 – 5 Years · Emotional · Throughout day
EM
▼Play Follow
3 – 5 Years · Creative · 20–30 mins
CR
▼Whatever child has already set up
Balance Bike Method
5 – 8 Years · Physical · Multiple sessions
PH
▼Bike with pedals removed (or balance bike)
Reading Aloud Together
5 – 8 Years · Cognitive · 20 mins
CG
▼Books slightly above child's independent reading level
Math in Real Life
5 – 8 Years · Cognitive · Throughout day
CG
▼Teach Me Something
5 – 8 Years · Language · 15 mins
LG
▼One-on-One Playdate
5 – 8 Years · Social · 2 hours
SO
▼The Reset Toolkit
5 – 8 Years · Emotional · Set up 10 mins, use throughout
EM
▼Index cards
Make a Mini Book
5 – 8 Years · Creative · 30–60 mins
CR
▼Paper, stapler, pencils, crayons
Try-Before-Commit
8 – 12 Years · Physical · Ongoing
PH
▼Choice Library Time
8 – 12 Years · Cognitive · Weekly
CG
▼Library card
Philosophical Questions at Dinner
8 – 12 Years · Cognitive · 10–15 mins
CG
▼Story First Draft Permission
8 – 12 Years · Language · 20 mins
LG
▼Paper or device
Scenario Role-Play
8 – 12 Years · Social · 15 mins
SO
▼Strength Spotting
8 – 12 Years · Emotional · Ongoing
EM
▼Project Time
8 – 12 Years · Creative · 30–60 mins weekly
CR
▼Whatever the domain requires