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The Best Toys for Babies 6 to 12 Months

Toys are important for babies 6 to 12 months, since the right playthings can expose them to color, movement and music -- all of which are important to their development. There are many toys from which to choose for 6-to-12-month olds. You might want to think about the skills you're seeking to develop when purchasing your next toy.

Stacking Rings
- Stacking rings made for babies are usually three to five different-size rings placed on a cone. This toy is great for babies because it exposes them to different sizes and colors. When playing with the rings, say the color of each one as you place it on the cone. Show your child how you can stack the rings from largest to smallest or smallest to largest. Try placing the largest ring in the middle to see what that looks like. This toy helps your baby work on hand-eye coordination. Babies might also enjoy clapping two rings together to explore with sound.
Soft Blocks
- Most soft blocks for babies have letters, animals or shapes printed on them. Use the blocks as an opportunity to provide your child with additional language lessons. Tell your baby what letter, color or animal is printed on the block. Stack the blocks to teach your baby cause and effect. If the blocks are stacked too high, they fall down. If they're thrown on the floor, they don't bounce. Blocks help with hand-eye coordination when your baby stacks them and moves them from place to place.
Large Shape Puzzles
- Puzzles for babies are large in size for safety purposes. The pieces are usually five by seven inches so babies cannot swallow them and are often shaped like animals. Each piece has a peg in the middle for easy removal by tiny hands. When working on the puzzle, always speak aloud the object you're handling. Phrases such as, "This is a circle" and "This is a cow" can help build language skills. Your baby can explore shapes and sizes as she tries to fit the correct piece in the right place. Puzzles can help to build fine motor skills, since it's necessary to correctly place the pieces so they fit together, instead of simply throwing them down.
Activity Mats
- Activity mats are made of soft, washable fabric on which babies can play. You can feel comfortable placing your baby on them since they are more hygienic than the floor. These mats encourage your baby to move. Placing your baby on her stomach helps strengthen her neck muscles. Activity mats can also be used to help babys learn to roll over they reach for toys. You can also simply use them as a general play area.

Childrens Toys