TOYS TO BE INTRODUCED FOR INFANTS (0-1 YEAR OLD)
Everyone enjoys shopping for their newborns.
We like to buy infants a lot of things, even before they are born. From clothes, diapers, feeding essentials to toys. We always have our child's best interests in mind and can meet their needs. Babies' favorite things are toys. With them, they enjoy playing and exploring.
It is important to take into account the baby's age and developmental stage when introducing toys to them. When you hear all of this, it could sound challenging. Be at ease; we’ve got you covered!
BABY AGE AND STAGE SPECIFIC TOYS
Babies 0 to 2 months
The first two months of your baby's life will be spent primarily on feeding, sleeping and adapting to their new environment. Therefore, if kids initially seem uninterested in toys, don't worry. Their emotional maturity is growing gradually. They observe and pay attention to those nearby throughout this phase.
When introducing toys to children, start with soft toys. Hold the toys 20 to 30 cm in front of their lovely eyes when you play so they can watch carefully. You can also add rattles to their collection.
Babies 2 to 3 months
Babies begin to develop their motor and sensory abilities during this stage. Rattles, soft toys with varying textures, and toys that produce noises or play music are all appropriate toys to start at this age.
Consider giving soft toys first as they are easy to grip and can promote sensory development. And also go for bright coloured and high contrast rattles to stimulate their vision or musical toys that make noise to engage their hearing.
Babies 3 to 6 months
Around this age , they start to reach and grab for toys and other objects. When lying on their stomachs, they also start to roll over and push up with their arms. At this phase, mirror toys are recommended since they can aid in the development of the child’s cognitive abilities.
Teething toys are also a wise choice because they can ease sore gums and promote the development of fine motor skills. The finest options for your baby to enjoy include board books, soft toys, rattles, musical toys, activity mats, and so on.
Babies 6 to 12 months
Several important developmental milestones for babies are accomplished during these months.
The following are some of them to anticipate: sitting, crawling or scooting, pulling up to stand, taking first steps, recognizing familiar persons and objects, chattering, laughing, and expressing their feelings.
At this age, they begin to play on their own. The right toys for this age includes stacking and nesting toys as this can help develop hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.
Activity tables, blocks, mirror toys, musical and lighting toys, shape sorters, push-button toys, hand puppets, board or fabric books and bath toys are also suitable for this age group.
Always purchase safe, age-appropriate toys without any little parts that could cause a choking danger. Furthermore, watch over your infant as they play with toys and clean them frequently. Also make sure to look for toys that are interesting but not too sophisticated.