Ideas For Top Baby Toys

From about six months of age your baby will be on the move! He will be seeking stimulation wherever he goes. From around ten months old he will be getting himself around the room by means of rolling, crawling, shuffling or cruising. At twelve months he may be able to stand or may have even started walking. You will notice your baby’s hand-eye co-ordination and growing dexterity improving rapidly. To enhance these skills and develop his communication and problem-solving get the right kind of toys for him. For hundreds of years rattles have been babies’ first toys as they provide stimulation with noises, colour and handles to grab and feel. Modern day rattles can double up as teethers too and come in varying textures for them to rub on their gums. Teddy bears, cuddly toys and soft dolls are good for your baby to cuddle as they encourage tenderness and affection whilst providing your little one with a source of comfort. When your baby first starts moving around and exploring, his instinct is to reach out and grasp things. This develops his hand-eye coordination. Toys that are just out of his reach and are easy to grasp onto are good and encourage his mobility. Stacking toys are fun so wooden blocks or stacking pots are good for you both to play with. Show your infant how to stack them and he will love knocking them all down again! As your baby is beginning to get around the room he will be particularly interested in toys that move around too. Your baby will love toys on wheels that he can push around and wind-up toys that he can chase. It is important for you and your child to play together and the best toys for this are interactive games that require you taking turns. Toys that make different noises when you each press certain buttons or a telephone that rings that you can take turns in answering. Games that you can play together like hide and seek are great fun for your child. Once your child is walking then a toy that he can stand up to, lean on and push around will encourage his early steps. Make sure it is sturdy enough to support him. As your child grows problem-solving toys are great for him. Puzzles and shape sorters are perfect to develop his problem-solving skills. Obviously all the toys you provide your child with should be safe so they need to be made of non-toxic and splinter free materials. They need to be durable and must not have sharp edges. Ensure that the toys are safe for your baby to chew and not small enough to choke on as he will want to put everything in his mouth. If you put a mobile or any other kind of toy in his cot then make sure they are appropriate to do so with and that they have no dangling strings that could pose a strangling risk. Everything is exciting and new to your baby and watching him explore and develop his skills will be incredibly exciting and rewarding for you. By Eirian Hallinan