A Guide To Choosing Baby Toys By Age

From baby rattles to bicycles

Infants are strange and wonderful creatures... however typically, they're just strange! It can be completely perplexing to try and determine why they ignore mirrors, balls and the TV... but are fascinated with a piece of cellophane or a patterned piece of fabric. They do get more understandable as they age - but when you'd like to avoid many wasted baby toys and dollars, it's finest to understand the theory of age-appropriate toys early. For infants, toys are more than just a way to pass the time since they don't have to do the dishes or work - they're vital to the development of intelligence and a way of self. Here we created an ages-and-phases guide to baby toys to demystify the whole process.

Baby toys for zero-three months old

At this stage, a baby's finest toy is really their dad and mom! They do not have much of a grip or any fine motor skills to speak of, so your involvement of their play is vital. Nonetheless, you'll be able to help that development alongside with tools:

• Mobiles: silicone bib For those occasions when she's going to sleep or just waking up, a mobile on the side of the cot is a great thing to have. Mobiles encourage pattern recognition, hand-eye coordination and a sens of 'object permanence'. A toy mobile that plays music is best.

• Music: Each ordinary old adult CDs, kid's music and toys that play their own little ditties are great for building neural pathways at this age.

• Contrasting and colourful items: Gadgets with high-contrast colours or black and white get a variety of staring time!

Baby toys for three-6 months old

All of the toys that your baby's relatives bought for her after she was born will start to come back into circulation and use at this age. Greedy and interactive play starts to develop into a reality, so select baby toys like:

• Books: Some babies love books, some couldn't care less. It's a good time to introduce them and see what your child thinks, though.

• Rattles and soft toys: Anything that makes noise and has a simple response to using it is nice for babies at this age

• Nursing necklaces: Many infants (together with mine!) love to pinch Mum or Dad's chest and neck while they're feeding. A nursing necklace is a superb various toy to the skin of your collarbone...

• Mirrors: The mirror stage of development comes at a unique time for all babies, starting from around now.

Baby toys for 6-9 months old

Babies are getting much more interesting, and interested, at this age! Choose baby toys that offer little challenges - however not too nice, or your child just won't bother. Look for the toys like:

• Stacking blocks, cups and boxes: If your baby can't do it herself, show her how

• Bathtub toys: Anything that squirts, may be read or floats is good at this age

• Musical toys: In case your baby can determine learn how to make the music of their baby toy play, they'll love it

Baby toys from 9-12 months

Your little one has virtually graduated from their first year of life; these are the baby toys that the majority children are into at this age:

• Push and pull toys: push and pull toys that do not need to be walked around are most practical

• Dolls: Kids start to be a bit more imaginative with their use of dolls at this age, moving past just biting and bashing them!