How to Buy Safe and Developmentally Appropriate Toys
When you buy popular toys for kids, it’s important to consider how the toy will help develop your child’s cognitive and motor skill development. Play is a child’s first job, and toys can serve as important learning tools. Selecting the right toys can be overwhelming, but if you follow these tips, you can choose toys that help your kids have a good time while encouraging their physical and social development.
Choose Toys that are Age-Appropriate and Safe
It’s important to choose the best toddler pedal car with safety and maturity in mind. If you choose a toy that’s under your child’s age range, he or she may quickly become bored. If the toy is above your child’s level, they may be exposed to dangerous small parts, and they may become so frustrated that they give up. When choosing toys for your kids, be mindful of their development in terms of interests, abilities, strengths and weaknesses.
Pick Toys That Can be Played With in Multiple Ways
Occupational therapists recognize child’s play as an activity because it is meaningful and purposeful to a child’s development. Play entails cognitive tasks such as problem-solving, social niceties such as sharing, and coordination skills such as activating and manipulating the best kids dollhouses and best building toys for kids.
Look for Chemicals in Toys
Another thing you should look for is labeling that indicates that a particular toy is phthalate-free. The topic is evolving, and concerns are mounting that phthalates may cause hormonal imbalances and behavioral issues. If plastic wall decals for kids contain phthalates, they’ll be marked with recycling #3. The place you shop can also affect your buying practices. While there’s nothing wrong with discount stores, their kids toys may not pass current safety standards. Look for toys that are sturdy, well assembled and strong enough to stand up to months of wear and tear.
Choose Toys That Appeal to Many Senses
A child’s attention is held by sounds, textures, lights and colors. The best pull toys for toddlers have enough moving parts and pieces to capture a child’s interest and prolong play time.
Find Toys That Encourage Problem Solving, Interaction and Communication
Science kits, board games and the best marble run sets offer your older kids the opportunity to use their thinking skills in new ways, while puzzles and shape sorters are ideal for toddlers and babies. Playhouses, costumes, tools and kitchen sets can be used with multiple children to teach negotiation and cooperation, and to stimulate their imagination.
While there are hundreds of toys on the market, it can be hard to choose the best tricycle strollers for small children. However, if you follow the tips listed here, you can engage and challenge your kids while using play as a way to foster development and growth.
The 10 Best Toys For Toddlers Development
As parents, we always want the best for our children, and we want them to grow up to be healthy, happy, and well-rounded individuals. One of the best ways to ensure this is by providing our toddlers with the right toys that will help develop their physical, cognitive, and social skills. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right toys for your little ones. To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of the 10 best toys for toddler development.
- Blocks
Blocks are a classic toy that never goes out of style. They are excellent for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. Blocks come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, from wooden blocks to plastic blocks with different textures and colors.
- Puzzles
Puzzles are great for developing cognitive skills such as problem-solving, shape recognition, and spatial awareness. Start with simple puzzles with large pieces and work your way up to more complex puzzles with smaller pieces.
- Musical instruments
Introducing your toddler to musical instruments is a fun way to promote their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Musical toys such as xylophones, drums, and shakers can help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Play kitchen
A play kitchen is an excellent way to encourage imaginative play and promote social skills. Toddlers love to imitate their parents, and a play kitchen can provide them with a fun way to do so. It can also help develop fine motor skills as they learn to manipulate utensils and appliances.
- Dolls and stuffed animals
Dolls and stuffed animals are classic toys that can help develop empathy and social skills. Toddlers love to care for their dolls and stuffed animals, which can help develop their nurturing skills and emotional intelligence.
- Balls
Balls are great for developing gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and social skills. Toddlers love to chase and throw balls, and it’s a great way to encourage outdoor play and exercise.
- Shape sorters
Shape sorters are a fun way to develop cognitive skills such as shape recognition and problem-solving. They also help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as toddlers manipulate the different shapes.
- Art supplies
Introducing your toddler to art supplies such as crayons, markers, and paint is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression. It can also help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Ride-on toys
Ride-on toys such as tricycles and scooters are great for developing gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. They are also a fun way to encourage outdoor play and exercise.
- Building toys
Building toys such as LEGO and Duplo blocks are great for developing problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills. They also encourage creativity and imagination as toddlers build different structures and designs.
In conclusion, choosing the right toys for your toddler can make a big difference in their development. The 10 toys we have listed here are excellent for promoting physical, cognitive, and social skills, but remember that the best toy is one that your child enjoys and engages with. So go ahead and have fun with your little ones as they learn and grow!