When it comes to choosing toys for their toddler, new parents may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of manufacturers vying for their hard-earned dollars. There is no “right” or “wrong” toy, really, it all depends on what side of your child’s development you want to focus on. But of course, it’s essential to remember that toys are for FUN! Here are some ideas.
Physical development
This is an exciting time in a child’s life! She is just beginning to learn what her body can do and she is more mobile than she has ever been (as every weary parent can attest to)!
Some toys are better than others at helping her to become more confident in her new mobility and the freedom that comes with it. Anything that can be pulled or pushed will help her with her gross motor skills: try to select toys that have an added bonus like balls that make a popping noise or that have a cause and effect when they are acted upon: for example, when she pulls that rolling doggie, its eyelids go up and down and his tail wags.
Fine motor skills are something that begins to be developed at a later stage of toddlerhood, but there are some toys for even young toddlers that can help them get a good start. Simple stacking boxes or blocks are easy to manipulate and are great for building towers to be knocked down later! Extremely chunky peg puzzles are good too, as long as mom and dad are willing to help and do not expect their child to “get it” right away. Stay positive!
Cognitive Development
Learning how to recognize colors, shapes, do basic counting, simple problem solving, and figuring out how something fits into a sequence is an important part of a toddler’s growth process. Every child learns at her own pace, but providing her with a variety of so-called educational toys from an early age will give her a distinctive when she enters pre-school or kindergarten later on.
Stacking rings which can only be stacked largest to smallest are one of the earliest toys to help teach a child logic and proper sequence. She will be ecstatic when she gets the sequence right and will be dying to show you all she’s learned. If you play with her and help her to learn her colors from the rings also, you will add yet another dimension to the toy.
Make sure you provide plenty of stuffed animals and/or dolls to help her develop her nurturing side as well. But no toy can replace time spent playing with Mom and Dad. Make sure you make playing with toys a family affair, and they will be even more fun and educational.
For a wide selection of Montessori toys and other quality playthings for your child, visit the website that offers flat rate shipping: Out Of The Toy Box (http://www.outofthetoybox.com). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
