Children’s toys should entertain them while keeping them safe. Likewise, it is essential that toys help them learn. While young children become happy when receiving new toys, and are not fussy about them, parents should be responsible when choosing toys for their children.
Enhancing children’s developmental learning
Toys are not only playthings. They are fun items that enhance babies and young children’s developmental learning, which is why parents should carefully choose the toys they give their children. Toys are introduced during playtime to keep the children calm, happy, and entertained while they play.
Child psychologists continue to emphasize the importance of play in children’s emotional, physical, mental, and social development. Thus, it is essential to choose age-appropriate toys to bolster their proper development while they are having fun.
How to choose developmental toys
- Choose simple toys. You should choose toys that allow children to use their imagination. To encourage them to direct the action while playing, choose toys that will encourage them to be spontaneous and creative. For example, simple toys such as blocks stimulate the child to build different things and use the blocks in various ways. Blocks keep children, from age zero to 14, and even adults, continuously entertained. Blocks are Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) toys that start children with hand-eye coordination, visual-spatial skills, problem-solving, maths, and complex building skills throughout their growth years.
- Choose age-appropriate toys. Allow your children to get the most enjoyment from the toy you give them. A suitable toy for the child’s age can challenge or encourage the child to use and improve their developing skills. When age-appropriate, the toy can stimulate the child’s skills instead of frustrating them. If you give the child a toy that is for older children, they will likely lose interest in it before they reach the right age to appreciate it. For example, babies will enjoy colorful toys that move or play music. But by age three or four, they will be delighted by toys that give them a realistic play experience, such as the Playmobil Ambulance, with posable figures, sirens, and flashing lights.
- Make sure they are safe. Your child’s safety is a major concern. Thus, it is vital to examine any toy you give to your child. Very young children should have light and durable toys because they will be sucking, biting, throwing, pulling, and dropping their playthings. The toys should not have small parts that can accidentally detach, which can choke them. Moreover, make sure that their toys are washable. Introduce new toys with moving and detachable parts when they are older and understand that toys or their parts are not to be eaten or swallowed.
- Find toys that stimulate. Good toys can stimulate the child’s senses or developing capabilities. When you give them age-appropriate toys, you enhance the phases of their developmental growth as they age. Think of simple toys and other playthings that are open-ended, meaning they can stimulate the child in different ways, using toys and other items to build things from their imagination and creativity.
- Introduce variety. As your child grows, introduce new playthings. Always consider the toys they already possess. Give them toys in different colors, shapes, with sounds and textures. You support their development and learning by introducing them to various toys that will expose them to various possibilities while they become more receptive to the world around them.
Do not surround children with lots of toys. Instead, use toys to support their development and learning stages to help them relate the playthings to the real world.
Very thoughtful sharing, thanks!