Game Recommendations for Child Development (0–15 years)
Absolutely, Minh! I’ve added a “Skills Developed” column and kept Go, Chess, and other strategy games in the later years.
🧠 Games & Activities for Cognitive Development (0–15 years)
| Age Range | Key Focus Areas | Example Games & Activities | Skills Developed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | Sensory exploration, bonding | Peek‑a‑boo, rattles, high‑contrast cards, tummy time, gentle music | Visual tracking, auditory processing, bonding/attachment, neck/trunk strength, early attention |
| 6–12 months | Object permanence, cause–effect | Stacking cups, drop‑and‑retrieve, hide‑the‑toy, soft blocks, simple rhythm play | Object permanence, hand‑eye coordination, cause–effect reasoning, turn‑taking foundations |
| 12–18 months | Problem‑solving, imitation | Shape sorters, push‑pull toys, simple pretend phone calls, large‑knob puzzles | Problem solving, imitation, fine motor precision, early symbolic play, language foundations |
| 18–24 months | Memory, early pretend play | 2–4 piece puzzles, matching picture cards, pretend cooking/feeding dolls, fill‑and‑pour water play | Working memory, attention span, sequencing, vocabulary growth, bilateral coordination |
| 2–3 years | Language burst, symbolic thinking | Role play (doctor/shop), block towers, “What’s missing?” tray games, simple scavenger hunts | Expressive/receptive language, categorization, planning, inhibitory control (waiting turns) |
| 3–4 years | Imagination, early logic | Storytelling with puppets, beginner board games (roll‑and‑move), sorting by color/size, obstacle courses | Narrative thinking, early numeracy, flexible thinking, gross/fine motor integration |
| 4–5 years | Pre‑math, planning, creativity | Pattern blocks, treasure hunts with picture clues, LEGO builds from picture prompts | Pattern recognition, visual‑spatial reasoning, planning, perseverance, collaboration |
| 5–6 years | Rules, cooperation, early strategy | Cooperative board games (e.g., Outfoxed), memory games, simple science experiments | Rule following, turn‑taking, working memory, observation, hypothesis testing |
| 6–7 years | Reading readiness, sequencing | Word/picture puzzles, step‑by‑step crafts, beginner coding apps (no-text blocks), tangrams | Phonological awareness, sequencing, problem decomposition, spatial visualization |
| 7–8 years | Logical reasoning, teamwork | Chess (basics), Go (intro on 9×9), LEGO robotics, cooperative strategy games (e.g., Pandemic Jr.) | Planning 1–2 moves ahead, pattern/shape reading (Go), collaboration, error checking |
| 8–9 years | Problem‑solving, creativity | DIY maker crafts, Sudoku (easy), marble runs, logic grid puzzles | Deductive reasoning, persistence, fine motor planning, systems thinking |
| 9–10 years | Critical thinking, planning | Chess (intermediate), Go (beginner 13×13), Checkers, Othello/Reversi, escape‑room puzzles | Multi‑step planning, foresight, evaluation of options, visual‑spatial strategy |
| 10–11 years | Abstract thinking, research | Science kits, debate games, Minecraft Creative (redstone builds), Go (intermediate) | Abstraction, research & presentation, design thinking, conditional logic |
| 11–12 years | Advanced logic, collaboration | Robotics kits, math riddles, Chess club/tournaments, team problem‑solving challenges | Strategic planning, probability & trade‑offs, teamwork/communication, resilience |
| 12–13 years | Strategic thinking, innovation | Risk, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, coding challenges/hack nights (mentor‑led) | Resource management, negotiation, long‑term planning, algorithmic thinking |
| 13–14 years | Analytical thinking, complex problem‑solving | DIY electronics/Arduino, advanced logic puzzles, simulations (city/transport planners) | Systems analysis, hypothesis testing, cost‑benefit analysis, project management |
| 14–15 years | Complex reasoning, leadership | Go (19×19) & Chess mastery, debate clubs, entrepreneurship games, design sprints | Long‑horizon strategy, metacognition, leadership & facilitation, decision‑making under uncertainty |
If you’d like, I can turn this into a printable one‑page chart or a detailed PDF with short instructions and “how to level up” tips for each activity.
Do you want me to tailor a weekly plan for your 22‑month‑old using items from the 18–24 months and 2–3 years rows?