The Importance of Baby Toys in Your Baby’s First Year

From the time babies are born they start learning new skills and their brain begins evaluating and storing understanding. Baby toys are the ideal items to help a baby develop these new skills and stimulate development in dexterity and brain function. Because babies initially spend most of their waking time lying on their back lovely bright mobiles suspended above them will encourage eye co-ordination and promote hand and leg movements as they are stimulated by the movement of the toy.

Your baby is naturally born with a grasp reflex. You only have to put a finger into the palm of the tiniest baby to see this at work as they will surprisingly grip it firmly. Toys which usually can be grasped such as rattle or soft toys can help this grasp reflex develop as your baby discovers to hold the toy and move it around. Such grasping toys should have a variety of surfaces including hard, soft, ridged or rough to provide the baby with a range of touch sensations.

As your baby grows older and becomes more mobile, other toys can be introduced to strengthen this new found skill. Toys that move on their own accord or change shape when handled are preferred at this stage. A string of large coloured wooden beads can be manipulated between their hands or a ball which makes a sound when moved is likewise appealing to your baby. Baby toys which can be easily pushed and retrieved are a good idea, such as toys on wheels that can be pushed away and pulled back by way of a string or handle.

Babies will quickly start sitting unaided and begin to examine their toys in more detail, shifting them from hand to hand and offering them for others to see. They will babble happily at their toys as they play thus helping advance their speech development. Bricks and blocks can provide hours of fun with its bright colours and attempts to build encourage the growing dexterity of the baby. Simple picture books can be introduced for educational purposes and also be an interactive device between the parent and baby.

Once baby starts to crawl everything is within their reach. At this time baby toys that have a push and chase element can retain baby’s interest and a great source of fun. Your baby is now increasingly able to manipulate toys and the idea of taking something apart followed by putting it back together provides great fun. Thus, toys like blocks or beads that clip together or a box with slots for things to go through are much valued. Your baby will also enjoy hiding and re-appearing or something as simple as a play tunnel can provide hours of crawling through and sitting in out of sight. Such toy will help enhance awareness of space and self-confidence within your baby.

When babies reach the end of their first year they must have acquired significant milestones aided and encouraged by their suitable baby toys. Simultaneously their mental and physical development has been much improved by the play and experimentation with sound, touch, colour and movement which these toys provided. Baby toys help build a solid foundation during your baby’s first year and will develop their physical coordination, social interaction and mental aptitude.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6722263

By Kathie R. Dionisio

Great Toys For the First Three Months

Congratulations on your new baby! Newborns may not seem like they do much at first, but they are constantly learning by using their senses. New babies soak up information like a sponge and they do so by looking, touching, and hearing. Seeing your baby learn new things on a daily level can be exciting! Great developmental toys for infants can help your child grow their senses and assist them in learning about their environment.

Rearranged my toy shelf (Photo credit: Andy Woo)

A great toy for your baby’s first three months is an unbreakable mirror. The mirror helps your newborn become aware of their surroundings without having to go far. This gives your little one some entertainment while acquiring important tummy time. Babies love to look at faces and the mirror allows them to see their face up close and helps their eyes to focus. You might find your baby actually talking and laughing to themselves in the mirror.

In the first three months, infants will adore toys with bright colors and funny shapes. Toys with bright patterns will help your baby distinguish certain objects from each other and hopefully promote them to reach and grab. Toys that encourage movement is very important! Funny shapes and textures help them to expand their realm of touch and you may even catch your infant trying to “figure it out”.

Soft toys are also great for newborns because they are easy to hold and can be very entertaining. Baby rattles and squeaky toys do wonders for increasing their sense of hearing and motor skills. The crinkle textured toys really fascinate babies and offers them a different sound that can grab their attention. Soft toys are also good for soft baby gums which can come in handy when your infant needs an oral fixation. Do not worry parents, putting toys in their mouth is a good thing and helps them get a better idea of their surroundings.

Scientists believe that when a baby is born there are certain neurological connections that are not yet formed and playing with toys helps connect the dots. The learning process for your newborn in the first three months can actually be very complex. Skills must be learned in a certain order and build on each other. There are not just one or two types of toys that are going to pave the proper brain paths that your baby will need for their senses. Soft toys are good for strengthening hands and fingers. Mobiles are great for the eyes and sight and music toys train the listening and hearing senses.

The first three months of your newborn’s life are crucial in sensory development. With each milestone your baby has there should be a toy that can help your little one reach the next neurological step. Playing is your infant’s full-time job and they need the right tools to get the job done! Newborn toys can help offer your child a multi-sensory familiarity of their environment that can build onto the next stage of infancy. Parents should be looking ahead for more developmental toys such as an activity table to prepare your baby for the next three to six months.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2721971

By Jim K Ford