Did you know that educational toys for infants and toddlers provide benefits to the child in terms of language acquisition, cognitive development, and motor skills? If you’re wondering what the best toys are, this blog post will tell you everything from age recommendations to learning styles. You’ll also find out the “try before you buy” idea. Have fun learning!
When buying a toy for your infant or toddler, it’s important to be mindful of their developmental level and choose something that will continue to benefit them as they get older.
There are three different types of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Young children tend to focus more on visual activities. For example, if you throw a ball to your infant, they’ll be more likely to look at it than touch it.
It’s best then to start with toys that will engage their senses and encourage them to explore and make them feel safe.
A toy of a toddler’s interest is a great place to start. A favorite toy will help them bond with you and give them something to talk about. Think about what your child enjoys today and plan for the future.
Why Educational Toys for Infants and Toddlers?
As your baby or toddler grows, so will their toys. Educational toys for infants and toddlers provide benefits to the child in terms of language acquisition, cognitive development, and motor skills.
Choosing the Right Toy for Infants
When you are out buying a toy for your infant, you must think about his or her developmental level and choose something that will continue to benefit them as they grow older. To help you out with this process, we have put together a few tips and tricks.
Remember, lots of children dislike some types of toys. It is important to know your child’s likes and dislikes so that you can sit down and talk about their picky nature. It is a good idea to let them choose their toys.
When you are out shopping for the right educational toy for infants and toddlers, you must be looking for toys that have a lot of colors, different shapes, and a variety of textures. You can also check with your child’s pediatrician to see what kind of toys they would like to play with and talk about since every child is different.
Here are my top 5 toys for infants and toddlers:
Cars
This is a classic toy that your baby will love from the beginning! They’re great for all ages, from 1 year old to 18 years old, and always provide an enjoyable learning experience.
A learning benefit to this toy is that it encourages your baby to use their imagination as they drive the cars, create a city, and even make “race tracks” with them.
Another advantage of toys is that it builds motor skills, sensory integration and encourages language development. You can also discuss colors, shapes, and sounds with your child as you play with cars together.
Trucks
Trucks are another classic toy! They’re a favorite for boys and girls alike and are great because they help develop motor skills, build language, and even start discussions about big machines. This toy has endless potential and I’ve seen babies of all ages enjoy playing with them.
Musical Instruments
A musical instrument is a great educational toy for infants and toddlers. Music will help them learn cause and effect, as well as develop their brain! If you choose to get an inexpensive keyboard, make sure it has a few different sounds and volume control. You don’t want your toddler to be screaming at the sound of a piano!
Balls
Balls are a classic toy that toddlers and infants alike love! They’re great all year round, whether it’s in the summer or winter, and there’s always a way for them to have fun with them. You can throw it, bounce it, roll it around and most importantly, teach your toddler about cause and effect.
Balls are a great toy for fine motor development, as well. They’re great for all ages from 1 year old to 18 years old and can be a great way to encourage language development.
Magnetic Building Blocks
Building blocks are another toy that has endless possibilities! You can build anything with them. Building blocks build more than just their imagination; they also help them develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and encourage language development.
You can discuss shapes and colors as you play with them. We have received the Melissa & Doug brand of magnetic building blocks at our house and my kids love them! You can play with them in a group or have one on one time too. They come with different pieces that help enhance their creativity as well!
As your child grows, so will their toys. Different educational toys for infants and toddlers will help them develop different skills as they grow. When you choose the right toy, it provides a learning experience that will last forever. Your baby will always remember and cherish those early years with their favorite toy!
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