As we mentioned earlier, you need to consider safety, maturity, and normalcy when deciding if a child should participate in an activity.
When considering the maturity of a child, ask yourself:
- Is the activity appropriate for the child’s age?
- Is the activity developmentally appropriate?
What is an age appropriate activity?
It’s any activity or experience generally accepted as suitable for a child's age, level of maturity, or level of development. For example, what is suitable at an age for some children may not be for those with developmental disabilities.
How do I know if an activity is developmentally appropriate for the child?
Developmental stages include intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Consider each stage when deciding appropriate activities for children and youth. Let’s look at some of the more common developmental milestones for each age group.
