Developmental Infant Toys
For infant toys to be educational and help baby's development, they should have contrasting colors, various textures and sound. These elements stimulate baby's sense of sight, touch and hearing. At birth, sight is an infant's least-developed sense. During the first two months of life, a baby can only focus on contrasting colors such as black, red and white. After month 2, she will do best with toys that are bright and with primary colors.
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Activity Gyms
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Activity gyms grow with your baby and are ideal for physical development. Young infants are able to strengthen their eye muscles and be alert. They lie on their backs and watch a mobile or bat at dangling toys; many gyms incorporate music and lights in the overhead play area. During tummy time, babies are encouraged to move and explore. They lie on brightly colored mats and can reach for, play with and kick at rattles and textured toys.
Mirrors
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Infants are able to make out human faces from birth; mirrors excite and stimulate infants throughout their development. Baby mirrors should be nonbreakable and produce an accurate reflection. Some mirrors are made to hang in cribs, and others are free-standing for tummy-time play. Mirrors are also incorporated in other toys, such as mobiles, rattles, soft toys and books. Babies learn self-recognition, names of body parts and imitation while looking in mirrors.
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Nesting Cups, Stacking Rings and Blocks
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These toys help introduce color and size. Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills develop as babies pick up, mouth, throw and drop these toys. As babies grow, they will be able to take the stacking rings off the cone and eventually place them back on. Similarly, they will learn to stack and nest the nesting cups, which can also be used for scooping and dumping activities. Babies love to knock down block towers, which teaches them cause and effect.
Push and Pull Toys
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Push and pull toys encourage physical development. As babies play with these toys, they will develop their small and large muscles. These toys teach cause and effect and promote experimentation. Push and pull toys persuade babies to move, whether it be to reach, roll, crawl or walk. These toys can range from small cars to activity walkers.
Safety First
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Babies explore by mouthing objects. Therefore, it is imperative any toy given to a baby is age-appropriate. Toys cannot have any small parts, be small enough to swallow or have jagged or sharp edges. Make sure toys are nonbreakable. Check toys regularly for loose parts and wear and tear. Discard any toy you feel is no longer safe for your baby. Because toys need to be kept sanitary, those that are washable or that are easily spot-cleaned are best.
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References
Resources
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