Babies can learn so much through play. At first it may seem like they cannot do many things however they develop fast and the toys they play with have a definite effect on how they develop. So, the next time you are at a toy store to find a baby toy keep in mind that toys play a big role in their development. If in doubt, have a chat with the child’s parents or guardian first to see which toys the baby may already has and what type of toys they like to play with.
Popular baby toys
There are many choices in the baby toy aisles. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:
Play mats and Activity centers; babies can lay comfortably on these mats and explore them. Many of these mats come with an arch with fun things hanging down. They also come with special areas that make noises or that feel different to stimulate their senses.
Mobiles; mobiles help a baby learn how to focus their eyes. Some are electronic and can play music which can also be useful when putting them to sleep.
Bath toys; there are all kinds of toys that a baby can play with in the bath from individual animals and characters through to play-sets that encourage them to build and sort.
Rattles; all babies love rattles and noisy toys which are good from a hearing perspective and also help their fine motor skills learn how to hold.
Teethers; teethers aren’t just a useful aid to teething, they can make noises and help with motor skills
Soft books; it’s never too early to introduce a child to books. Babies enjoy looking at the pictures and can also learn about touch through the different textures.
Musical toys; musical toys and music can help babies sleep and can also help them learn about problem solving as they work out how to make noises with their toys.
Push/Pull toys; as babies get older and more active a push/pull toy will help them develop physically.
Stacking/sorting toys; as babies become more mobile they will enjoy stacking, building… and knocking down!.
Walkers; walkers can help babies develop the skills they need to walk. Some walkers double up as brick cases and ride-ons which can also be useful.
Safety and age restrictions
When buying baby toys it’s recommended that the toy should match the age of the child (toys should show this on a label) and that it meets all necessary safety requirements. Age restrictions on toys are there for a purpose as many toys for older children use small parts that present a choking hazard or may have hard parts that could hurt them.
Babies, like adults, have their own ideas when it comes to the toys they like to play with. To make sure that the baby toy will suit the baby check with the parents first who will be able to give guidelines on what is suitable, what the baby likes and what the baby needs.
Tags: Baby Toys, infant toys