Which age group typically models behavior with toys?

Modeling behavior with toys is most commonly associated with toddlers. This age group, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years old, is characterized by rapid development in their social and cognitive skills, which includes imitative behavior. During this stage, children learn through observation and imitation, often mimicking the actions of adults or older children as they engage with play objects.

Toddlers play actively with toys, often using them to express what they see in their environment. For instance, they might pretend to cook using toy kitchen sets after having observed a family member in the kitchen. This type of play not only supports their language development but also their understanding of social roles and interactions.

In contrast, while infants engage with toys through exploration and sensory experiences, their play is more focused on grasping and listening. Preschoolers and school-age children demonstrate more complex play behaviors but may not model behavior with toys in the same fundamental way as toddlers. Preschoolers are likely to engage in symbolic play but with less direct imitation of behavior seen in toddlers. School-age children typically engage in more structured play and begin to develop rules and competitive games rather than simply modeling behaviors with toys.