Baby Toys, Infant Toys, and Crib Toys
Have you ever watched a little baby when a brightly colored toy or soft rattle is shown to them? Their eyes try to focus, their head turns in the direction of the noise, they will flail their arms and legs. They are trying everything they can to interact with the stimuli. Infants learn with their entire body. Gross motor skills develop exponentially, and their entire learning process is a whole body experience.
Safety is of top concern at this age. Make sure that products given to infants fit within safety standards: unbreakable, no small parts (including eyes on a doll or wheels on a car), nontoxic, and of a good size. An excellent indicator of size is a paper towel roll. If a toy can fit inside a paper towel roll, then it is too small for an infant.
GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Physical development in the first year of life is amazing. Children go from these seemingly helpless creatures
to those that are crawling (and sometimes walking) into all sorts of predicaments! You can encourage the development
of gross motor skills by finding products that are easy for young children to use and have a response they enjoy.
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SENSORY STIMULATION
Babies rely heavily on their senses to get to know the world around them. By providing them with toys and products
that offer a variety in each of the senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell), you are encouraging them to get to
know the diverse world around them.
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IMAGINATIVE PLAY
By the end of the first year, children are starting to mimic the action around them. Pots and pans become
fascinating toys, and "getting" to "help" clean the house is a treat. Encourage children to
think open-endedly at an early age to tap in on their budding creative sides.
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PRINT IMMERSION
It is never too early (or too late) to start reading to a child. By exposing children to the printed word,
you can teach them the value of reading and the pleasure that comes with it. Provide a variety of books and
stories, and at the infant stage, make sure that they will stand up to lots of exploring!
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