Toys are essential for a baby’s development and are more than just a fun pastime to keep your child entertained. During the first twelve months of your baby's life, toys will trigger them to develop in ways we could not imagine. They are primarily the vehicle for early childhood learning and essential to your child's everyday life.
Here, we'll explore the educational benefits of baby toys and the different types of toys that will keep your baby's attention while stimulating their development.
Why Development Toys Matter for Baby Brains
While newborns won't be able to play with toys, in just a few short weeks, they'll love looking at brightly coloured, high-contrast toys that make an interesting noise, and soon enough, they'll be reaching and grabbing for toys with different textures.
Toys and learning through play is a critical part of a child's development, providing opportunities to explore and promote sensory, motor, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Toys in our baby's world will also help them release extra energy by acting as an unwinding tool and enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills as they try to figure out what the toy does and how it can be used.
Educational Benefits of Baby Toys
It might be difficult, especially for new parents, to really understand the educational benefits and importance of toys. So, here are just some of the benefits you can expect to see when you give your child particular types of developmental toys.
Toys for IQ & Cognitive Growth
The use of educational toys will help your little one with hand-eye coordination. With your baby's brain being involved in the thoughtful activity and learning new skills from the toy, their intelligence level is boosted. Your child's motor skills will also enhance with cognitive development.
Toys for Emotional & Social Growth
Did you know that your child will start to understand who they are, thanks to toys? By using mirrors, they'll begin to realise that the reflection they see is them! Our Penguin Tummy Time Mirror is perfect for this! Through toys, they'll easily be able to experience, manage and express their emotions while learning through interaction and cooperative learning teamwork.
Toys for Problem-Solving Skills
Toys, such as our sensory blocks, will help your little ones develop problem-solving skills as they try to build the blocks because they have to follow a step-by-step sequence. Through blocks and puzzles, your child has to use logic and manipulation.
Toys for Concentration & Focus
Your child's concentration span is short. But, once they have a suitable education toy, for example, puzzles, it will help build their concentration for longer as they try to solve it. Their attention and focus will be entirely on the toy. Our Wooden Walker is packed with puzzles and games to challenge your little one's mind.
Toys for Creativity
Educational toys will pique your child's curiosity and allow them to be creative in different ways. For example, our Interactive Activity Book will thrill them as they explore the different colours and textures and use their imagination. In the process, they'll also learn the patience and value of hard work.
Toys for Sensory Development
Education toys play a significant role in helping your little one grow their touch, sight and hearing. Through these toys, which are brightly coloured, make noises and are textured, children can develop their fine motor skills and social-emotional capabilities.
Choosing Toys for Baby's Development
An important part of parenthood is ensuring your child has suitable toys that will facilitate growth. Some factors to consider when choosing developmental toys include:
Is the toy challenging? Your child's toy should be a challenging one that they have to try and figure out how it works - cause and effect. This toy will allow your child to be creative and help develop your little one's fine motor skills.
Is the toy safe? Safety is paramount, and before handing a new toy to your child, you should make sure it's well-made and safe. It should not have any sharp points and should have non-toxic, lead-free paint, be shatterproof and easily cleanable. But remember, a safe toy can become hazardous due to tear and wear, so keep checking them regularly.
Is the toy fun? Your child might be the fussy type, and your fun toy may be a bore for them. Try to choose an age-appropriate toy with your child in mind. It is about them and not us.
Is the toy versatile? The toy you choose should be engaging and enticing. One that will make your little one develop their cognitive skills.
Is the toy durable? When choosing a toy for your child, it should be resistant as it will no doubt undergo being smashed, bitten, stepped on and dropped. A strong toy is essential.
Types of Developmental Toys for 0-6 Months
Toys are categorised into types, each offering a skill to your child as they grow. Here are some of the best types of development toys for children aged between 0-6 months old:
Activity Toys
As the name suggests, activity toys help your child as they go about their day and allow them to develop their coordination skills, motor skills and balance. This type of toy helps their physical dexterity and builds strength and confidence. Some examples of activity toys include:
Baby gyms and playmats
Balls
Bean bags
Swings
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are perfect for newborns to explore and learn with. These toys are designed to encourage motor skills, stimulate the senses and spark curiosity and imagination. They often feature bright colours, interesting sounds and different textures. Some sensory toys include:
Teether blankets
Little learner cubes
Tummy time water mats
Musical toys
Creative Toys
These are toys that help develop your child's creativity and imagination. Your child's artistic development is encouraged, including the fine motor skills required for writing. Examples of these toys are:
Finger paints
Crayons
Clay
Interactive Learning Toys
Interactive toys trigger your child to develop their fine motor skills. They help children self-recognise as they enhance their social-emotional skills. Plus, they can start to understand more about cause and effect thanks to these toys. Some interactive toys include:
Books
Blocks
Boardgames
Open-Ended Toys
Open-ended toys can take up more than one role. They are dynamic, ensuring your little one doesn't get bored of them quickly; they stimulate creativity and curiosity, explore humour and improve social development. Open-ended toys include:
Activity cubes
Busy books
Interactive baby walkers
Tips on Organising your Baby's Toys
We understand the struggle of keeping a tidy house with an abundance of baby toys lying around. The moment you put everything away, your child will likely pull it all back out, ready to play! Luckily, after their first birthday, you can start introducing some responsibility and teach them how to organise their toys after playtime.
To make organising toys easy and fun for your little one, here are some of our top tips:
Separate the toy parts: Some toys come lodged together; you can disengage them for better storage. This way, it is easier to store them up.
Categorise and label: You should categorise the toys, e.g., trains, blocks, and puzzles. This way, your child will know where to put their toy appropriately - ensuring you label the storing trough for easier access.
Use buckets or plastic tubs for bigger outdoor toys that require more space.
Maximise space: You should create more space to ensure the toys do not clutter your playroom. You can use some behind the door inside closets, under the bed, and wall space to store.
Create a reward system: Rewarding your child, either with a sparkly sticker, a special treat or just plenty of praise, will help encourage them to remember to put their toys away.
Browse our complete collection of Baby Educational and Sensory Toys to start their early childhood learning and development.
