Infant Development Toys

Significance

• From 0 to 6 months, there are a few physical milestones that your child should reach.Choose toys that help them reach these milestones:
  1. Following objects with the eyes
  2. Grasping objects with the hands
  3. Exploring with feet
  4. Sitting with support
  5. Scooting, rocking and bouncing
  Toys that encourage these behaviors include bright primary colors, simple designs, a bull's eye pattern or facial features. Windup toys are good for the development of eye movement. Infants can watch mobiles or windup toys that are suspended above them. Bouncing seats are a good idea for infants, as are toys that can be pulled on with the hands, such as toy key rings or interlocking plastic rings.

Identification

• Mental milestones as important, if not more important than physical ones. By age 6 months, your child should be able to do these things:
  1. Explore sounds and objects with vision and hearing
  2. Enjoy affecting others by their own actions
  3. Recognize familiar people
  4. Be aware of strange things that are happening
  5. Develop preferences for certain people or objects
  6. Imitate movements
  Toys that can push your child toward these milestones can be toys that make noise. Make sure that the noise from the toy is not too loud or startling. Toys that have mirrors also help in these types of development.

Function

• Social development is also important in infants, especially those who don't have older brothers or sisters to model proper behavior. Social behaviors in children 0 to 6 months include the following:
  1. Showing special interest in faces
  2. Smiling at familiar people
  3. Stopping crying in response to voices
  4. Seeking attention
  5. Making sounds such as cooing or laughing at people
  Toys that promote social interaction may be soft blocks or balls that can be played along with other people. Soft baby dolls are also a good idea for children of this age.

Warning

• Always read the intended age level for any toy you purchase. Toys bought for infants should be marked as toys that are made for children of 0 to 6 months age. There should be no sharp points or edges and no long strings. Toys should not have any electrical parts or small parts that might be lodged in the ears, nose or throat.

Expert Insight

• Many studies have shown that music plays a large part in the development of infants. Some parents might want to play music while their children go to sleep, but it is also beneficial to use music as a part of play. Most of us learn our alphabet and colors though music, as well as basic skills. Playing classical music to your child during playtime can aid higher functioning in the brain processes and also quiet the baby's mind.