Age groups
NIVA covers 12 to 72 months in six age groups. The exact month ranges matter, because a few months make a real difference at this age.
Age groups
12–18 months
First discoveries
Very simple activities built around tapping, cause and effect, and familiar objects and sounds. Best played on a parent's lap, a few minutes at a time.
Typical focus
- Cause and effect
- Observation
- Listening
18–24 months
Naming and matching
Simple matching, everyday words and one-step instructions. Activities stay short, with plenty of repetition.
Typical focus
- Language
- Visual perception
- Hand-eye coordination
24–36 months
Sorting and simple choices
Sorting by colour, shape or kind, first patterns and basic emotion recognition, with short instructions.
Typical focus
- Categorization
- Patterns
- Emotional recognition
36–48 months
Patterns and stories
Longer sequences, simple memory play, early counting and situations that explore feelings and everyday life.
Typical focus
- Memory
- Sequencing
- Early math
48–60 months
Thinking in steps
Multi-step problem solving, early awareness of letters and sounds, comparing quantities and more detailed observation tasks.
Typical focus
- Problem solving
- Early literacy
- Attention
60–72 months
Ready for more
More complex reasoning, pattern and sequencing tasks, and early literacy and early math activities with greater challenge.
Typical focus
- Reasoning
- Early math
- Social-emotional concepts
How activities grow with your child
Within each age group, NIVA starts with simpler activities and adjusts difficulty based on how your child plays.
As your child moves into the next age group, activities add more steps, more choices and longer sequences.
Children develop at their own pace. The age groups are a starting point for choosing activities, not a standard your child is expected to meet.