Play and Social Skills Development Chart

Play is self-directed activity that brings joy and helps children develop age-appropriate skills and understand the world.
Social skills are the everyday abilities we use to connect and communicate with others, supporting overall development.

Note: Each stage builds on previous ones.
How to use this chart: Check the skills up to the child’s age. If earlier skills are missing, contact us.

","\u29bf Fine motor delays may persist due to limited practice
\u29bf Joint attention and socialization may remain challenging
"],["2- 3 years","\u29bf Ownership is strongly asserted
\u29bf Cooperative play may begin
\u29bf Dolls or teddies are treated as alive
\u29bf Play occurs alongside others without collaboration
\u29bf Symbols are used in play (e.g., a stick as a sword)
\u29bf Less familiar life events are reflected in play (e.g., doctor visits)
","\u29bf Simple rules begin to be followed
\u29bf Peer socialization and joint attention may still be difficult
\u29bf Learning from others may be hindered by poor attention
\u29bf Fine motor delays may persist, affecting small object manipulation
"],["3 - 4 yrs","\u29bf Plays purposefully with mechanical toys
\u29bf Turns are taken with other children
\u29bf Small-group play (2\u20133 children) emerges
\u29bf Play themes expand beyond personal experience (e.g., firefighter rescues)
\u29bf Feelings are discussed openly
\u29bf Shame is felt when misbehaving
","\u29bf Peer socialization may remain challenging
\u29bf Learning from others may still be difficult
\u29bf Expressing wants, needs, or ideas may be hard
\u29bf Frustration may occur with small object manipulation
"],["4 -5 yrs","\u29bf Turn-taking and negotiation begin
\u29bf Shared-aim play with others is preferred
\u29bf Group play is favored over solo play
\u29bf Imaginative play is enjoyed (e.g., dress-up, cooking)
\u29bf Games with simple rules are liked (e.g., hide-and-seek)
\u29bf Rules may be adapted during play
","\u29bf Socializing may still pose challenges
\u29bf Learning from peers may be difficult
\u29bf Expressing thoughts or needs may remain hard
\u29bf Self-esteem may be affected by social struggles
"],["5 - 6 yrs","\u29bf Play includes unfamiliar themes (e.g., space travel)
\u29bf Negotiation occurs during organized play
","\u29bf Socializing may still be difficult
\u29bf Retelling events may be challenging
\u29bf Routines may be hard to follow
\u29bf Verbal\/written expression of ideas may be delayed
\u29bf Self-esteem may be impacted by social barriers
"],["6 -7 yrs","\u29bf Small-group play with invented rules is enjoyed
\u29bf Cooperative games are played, but losing is hard
\u29bf Same-gender play is preferred
\u29bf Rules in play are understood and applied
","\u29bf Social challenges may persist
\u29bf Instructions at home\/school may be hard to follow
\u29bf Retelling events may remain difficult
\u29bf Expressing ideas verbally\/written may still be a struggle
\u29bf Self-esteem may be affected by peer interactions
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The Data is Not Available

This chart provides a functional screening of age-based developmental skills, not a formal assessment. It combines decades of multi-source data, clinical experience, and educator input from South Australian schools, adapted to align with practical ACARA curriculum requirements beyond standardized research.

Reference List Entry:
Kid Sense Child Development. (n.d.). Child development charts.

Content adapted and inspired by developmental milestone charts from Kid Sense Child Development (https://childdevelopment.com.au/). Credit to Kid Sense for foundational insights used in creating materials for Aliana Pediatric Therapy.