Did you know that an infant baby can’t focus clearly on you smiling at them? As the months go by they develop the ability to focus and then to distinguish between different things in their surroundings. Everything is new for them to explore: sight, sounds, touch, taste and smell,
Stimulating toys can help with the arousal and development of these senses. Bright colored toys are the best, and apparently black, red and white have been observed to be the first colors they can distinguish between. Toys also help with the development of attention span, the recognition of shapes and colors, the development of memory and with nervous system development.
Some suggestions for developmental baby toys are;
Hearing: Rattles of all shapes and styles, musical toys, jingle balls
Sight: Bright strong colors, mobiles, dangles on cot and pram
Touch: Soft toys, unique textures, variety of shapes
As they get a little older, 4 – 8 mths, toys can help with the development of hand – eye coordination and of grasping an object. Here again bright colors play an important part as an enticement to reach for and hold onto the toy
A wonderful multi purpose creation is the play mat. These have toys hanging overhead which will tempt baby to lift her neck, reach her arms up, and work on her hand-eye coordination. A good one will also include a mirror, different fabrics, and rattles or squeakers to keep her active.
Stacking toys: Blocks, cups, and rings that stack are great for any age, but babies reap the most benefit between 6 and 12 months. At first, baby will just bang them together or knock them down when you set them up. Closer to 12 months, baby will learn to stack and nest them herself. These toys may seem simple, but your baby will pick up on spatial relationships and size and color differences while playing with them.
By 9 – 12 mths baby will be pulling herself up, crawling around, or learning to walk. She’ll also be attempting her first words. The best toys during these active months are those that encourage movement and exploration.
Balls: Simple ball games help improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and muscle strength.
Musical toys: Babies absolutely love music. You could buy electronic toys that play tunes or better still encourage her to make her own music with children’s instruments maracas and drums. And of course don’t forget the pot lids!
Push-toys: These offer your baby support when she’s taking her first steps. Whether it’s a pretend car or a shopping cart, the best models come with knobs, buttons, or other activities that let her practice both her gross and fine motor skills.
I hope this has helped you with your exploration into buying educational toys.
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