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Research and Sources

Every statement we make about child development or physical activity comes from one of the sources below, linked at the sentence where we use it.

How we use research

Research supports the value of developmentally appropriate play and movement in general. We use it for context, to help adults choose activities by age, and to be precise about numbers.

We do not use it to promote a product. No study on this list is about TeeterTop, and none of these organizations endorses TeeterTop or has reviewed anything on this site.

The rules we hold ourselves to

  1. We prefer primary sources: public health agencies, pediatric organizations, and major academic centers.
  2. A number or a quoted finding sits next to a link to the page it came from.
  3. We write supports, offers opportunities, and can help practice. We do not write proves or guarantees.
  4. Balancing your body and balancing an object are different things. They overlap in play, and we do not treat evidence about one as evidence about the other.
  5. An observation from a play session, such as "they tried again," is not a developmental outcome, and we do not present it as one.
  6. If we could not confirm a statement from its source, we left the statement out.

What these sources do not establish

Sources

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children (clinical report, Pediatrics). 2018. Play with parents and peers, and social, language, and self-regulation skills, in general. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. The Power of Play: How Fun and Games Help Children Thrive. Last updated May 3, 2023. A parent-facing overview of kinds of play, including outdoor play. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child Activity: An Overview. December 4, 2025. Daily physical activity recommendations for ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 17. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Making Physical Activity Part of a Child's Life. August 7, 2024. Making activity enjoyable and age-appropriate. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  5. World Health Organization. To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more. April 24, 2019. Daily physical activity recommendations for children under five. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  6. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children. December 14, 2022. Age-grouped play activities, and the shift from adult-led play toward play with peers. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  7. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Playing Outside: Why It's Important for Kids. Last updated April 6, 2026. Benefits associated with outdoor play. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 3 Years. May 15, 2026. A social milestone about noticing and joining other children. Context only, never a way to assess a child. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  9. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Small Parts Ban and Choking Hazard Labeling. No date shown. Small parts as a choking hazard for children under 3. A reference for adults choosing household objects, not a statement about any product here. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 15 Months. May 15, 2026. What most children do by 15 months, including stacking two small objects. Context only, never a way to assess a child. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 2 Years. May 15, 2026. What most children do by 2 years, and tips for parents on blocks, turns, and outdoor play. Context only. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  12. American Academy of Pediatrics. Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era (clinical report, Pediatrics). 2019. General guidance on toys as a way for caregivers and children to play together. Last checked October 11, 2026.
  13. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Toy Safety. No date shown. The federal toy safety standard and the small-parts rule for children under 3. Written for makers, not shoppers. Last checked October 11, 2026.

Review schedule

We recheck every source at least every six months, and sooner when an organization updates its guidance. Each entry shows the date we last confirmed that the page exists and says what we say it says.

If you believe we have misread a source, tell us through the contact page. See how the sources are applied in what play can support as children grow.

Updated .