There are numerous baby toys on the market and with so many options available; many parents are left wondering what toys are best for their infant. The first aspect you need to be aware of when it comes to toy shopping is that you want to choose items that will keep your baby amused but will also help him/her develop their early learning skills.
When your little one plays with his or her amusing object what you want them to discover is how to:
- Control the movements of their body
- Solve easy problems
- Develop ideas
- Develop imagination
- Develop control over their muscles, as well as coordination
Babies need to learn and take in the world around them by using all of their five senses – see, hear, taste, touch and smell. It is imperative that each of these senses is stimulated through the baby toys the child is given. However, this should not be a problem, because what you will likely find is that each item he/she picks up is tested by all the senses. The babe will look at it, feel it, taste it, sniff it and then likely shake or bang it to find out if it makes a noise. Whether or not the actual object holds any interest for them is another story. Nevertheless, almost all toys are tested in this same manner.
How do you pick baby toys that will really capture the interest of your tot? Let’s face it, aside from the fact that there is a huge selection to choose from, children’s playthings can be quite expensive, therefore when you make your purchase you want it to count for something and not just amuse for a few short minutes. To help you determine what may be an idea choice for your child, the following are some questions to ask yourself when you are shopping:
- Will it challenge your son or daughter so they do not become bored?
- Is the toy too complicated? You don’t want it to cause frustration.
- Will it encourage creativity and imagination?
- Does the toy have the ability to be used in more ways than one?
- Is the item different than the baby toys already owned?
- Is it fun and interesting so others will be encouraged to join in for social play?
- Will the toy engage the child in play so he/she isn’t only a spectator?
In addition to the questions you should ask yourself, you need to ensure the following:
- Toys should be safe for your baby’s age group. You don’t want to pick anything with sharp edges or small parts that can lead to choking.
- Color is important. Babies respond well to bright shades, such as primary colors (red, blue and yellow) and are less stimulated by muted hues and pastels.
- Choose baby toys that are a manageable size. The toddler needs to be able to easily pick it up and control it.
- All items need to be durable as infants can be quite rough.
- You need to be able to wash the toys because they will most definitely – at some point – find their way into your tiny one’s mouth.
There is no reason to let shopping for baby toys overwhelm you. All it takes is careful consideration and a little bit of trial and error. Try to be diverse when making your selections, that way you provide your infant with the chance to fully enjoy and experience new things in as many ways as possible.
