Play is the natural urge of children, it is important for child’s physical and mental development. Therefore, toys being the tool for play, must be chosen with care. Choosing a toy for your baby can be confusing with million options available. Finding out the best becomes a difficult task for parents.
Therefore, selecting an appropriate toy is essential as it helps in developing cognitive abilities, builds fine motor skills and gross motor skills. They also promote eye hand coordination. These skills can develop much faster when a child is given a right toy at the right time.
Moreover, toys are critical for a child’s overall development. Children start to develop the understanding of relationships and role-play which triggers their imaginations too.
Tips to keep in mind while choosing a toy
- Expensive toys are better than the cheaper ones may not be necessary
- Electronic toys may seem very attractive but makes children passive players.
- Toys must be age appropriate as it is also important from a safety perspective.
- Remember to always chose toys without posing health hazards.
Selecting age appropriate toys
- 0 – 6 months
Babies at this age enjoy brightly colored objects especially if they move or make music. Look for some light weight rattle, colorful tethers soft rubber toys that child can grip and squeak. These toys are even perfect as bathing tub toys. Make sure that the plastic material is not thin or brittle.
- Toys for 6 – 12 months
At this age your baby may start to sit or pull herself/himself up to stand or may roll over. Now your little one is starting tom explore and interact with people and his/her surroundings. Thus ball, walking toys, wagons are appropriate for them. as these make kids engrossed in walking or crawling across the floor. In addition to these soft blocks, wooden puzzles, board books can also be purchased
- 12 – 18 months old child
Kids particularly at this age are very active. They really have fun in toys that allow them to scribble, sort, pick, throw, push or pull.
- 2 years old
Since at this age your child is gradually acquiring control of her hands so wooden puzzles, blocks (shape, color, size) role play toys, big picture books (with many illustrations)/ cards, sorters would enhance her motor skills and cognitive skills.
- 3 years old
Now your little preschooler has much better control of his/her hands. More of complex building blocks or puzzles, water play toys, sand toys, musical toys such as drums, xylophones, picture books, play dough, non-toxic crayons, number and alphabets toys be added to her toy basket.
Make sure toys are cleaned regularly. Each year kids are treated in hospital emergency department for toy related injuries. Coking is a risk in children as they tend to explore the world by putting objects in their mouth.
Your child’s world revolves around you so give quality time and sit with him/her to be a part of their toy world.