During my first presentation I was asked to research on what kids normally do in different age, as I am ponder over what kind of kids furniture I want to make and what kind of furniture for which range of age, here are some research that I found from online resource.
Ages 0-2
Intellectual Development
- Children at this age learn by exploring with their hands and mouth. They bang, throw, drop, shake, and put items in their mouths.
- Hiding things will get more difficult when your child starts to look for hidden objects. By 24 months, he can find things hidden under two or three other items.
- Learning how to use everyday objects is an important development at this age. Kids learn how to use a spoon. They learn to drink from a cup. They learn to comb their hair.
Physical Development
- Children will first learn to hold their head up. Little by little, they begin to roll and to sit (usually by six months).
- Kids learn to creep, then crawl, pull themselves up, walk while holding onto furniture, stand, and then walk two or three steps without assistance (usually by 12 months).
- At 24 months, children can begin to run, kick a ball, and walk up and down stairs (while holding onto someone’s hand).
Ages 3-5
Intellectual Development
- Imaginary play is a notable milestone of this stage.
- Children begin to name colors and begin to understand simple counting.
- It’s important to stimulate your child’s intellectual development by reading aloud to him every day.
- Kids gradually begin to understand the concept of time.
Physical Development
- Hopping, climbing, swinging, and doing somersaults begin at this stage. By age 5, many kids can stand on one foot for at least 10 seconds.
- Children can draw a person with up to four body parts by age 5. They draw circles and begin to learn how to copy a square and some capital letters. They learn how to use scissors.
- Kids often become frustrated with wanting to do something physically and not being able to do it yet. Thus, they have lots of falls and mishaps.
Ages 6-9
Intellectual Development
- Kids learn to read gradually. Children who are read to aloud and are encouraged to read tend to develop more quickly intellectually.
- Your child will become more sophisticated in understanding the concept of time. They enjoy hearing about times past.
- By age 6, most children can count to 100. By age 9, they are beginning to learn how to multiply.
- Engaging the bodies as well as the minds of children this age will help them learn.
Physical Development
- More physical abilities will develop. Many children can dribble a ball with one hand by age 6. Most learn how to ride a two-wheel bike. They become more skillful at skipping and catching and throwing a ball.
- Kids this age like to move. Many become restless and wiggle if they sit for too long, which is why school can be difficult for some children at this age.
- Your child may practice balancing a lot. They balance on curbs, chairs, and other high places. Monitor their balancing acts to make sure they’re safe.
Ages 10-14
Intellectual Development
- Most kids enjoy the social aspects of learning. This works well when teachers encourage learning in small groups.
- Around ages 11, 12, and 13, shifts occur in kids’ thinking. Keep them engaged in school and learning. Encourage their curiosity.
- Many kids move from concrete to abstract thinking. Concrete thinkers focus on the here and now, such as a particular house cat. Abstract thinkers focus on issues that are are not associated with a specific instance. Thus, an abstract thinker can talk about domestic and wild cats, how they’re similar and different, and which ones they believe have more skills than others.
Physical Development
- This is the age when kids need to start using deodorant and learning more personal hygiene. Some go overboard and spend hours in the bathroom. Others resist, refusing to bathe.
- Puberty reigns at this age. Puberty, however, has several stages for both boys and girls, which is why you’ll see kids developing at different rates between the ages of 8 and 18.
- With growth spurts come clumsiness and a lack of coordination. It isn’t easy for a person to grow six inches within a few months without his sense of balance being disrupted.
- If your child is not athletic, help her find a sport or physical activity she enjoys. At this age, kids who don’t excel athletically are tempted to avoid all physical activity. Consider martial arts such as kung fu, judo, karate, or tae kwon do, which often appeal to this age group.
Reference: http://www.parentfurther.com/
After this research I get to understand more about how kids reaction in different age range, now all I need is to come out with a plan of what furniture I am going to design to fit into the age range.