|
Selecting
safe, age appropriate toys for your children can be a daunting task.
It's important to find toys that will challenge children,
but not frustrate them because they are too difficult or too
simplistic. The following list will give you examples of
developmental guidelines for each age and provide you with
suggestions for great toys.
|
Birth - 3
Months
Your
child can:
- Follow
a moving person or object with their eyes
- Turn
their head towards sounds they hear
- Kick
feet, lift their head, reach with hands
|
Toys:
- Rattles
- Squeeze
or sucky toys
- Mobile
- Board
books with high-contrast
illustrations
|
- Repeat
actions they see
- Grasp
without using thumbs
- Smile,
laugh, giggle
- Bat at
objects
- May
start to get on all fours
|
Toys:
- Teething
toys
- Busy
boards
- Soft
dolls
- Sensory
balls
- Unbreakable
mirror
- Toys
that make noise when squeezed or
batted
|
|
7-12
Months
- Remember
simple events and concepts
- Explore,
bang, shake objects
- Sit
alone, crawl, pull themselves up, walk
- Identify
themselves and body parts
- Find
hidden objects
|
Toys:
- Water
toys
- Rubber
balls
- Large
blocks of wood or fabric
- Large
beads, nesting toys
- Soft or
plastic vehicles with wheels
- Push/pull
toys
- Ride-on
toys
- Musical
instruments for infants
|
Remember,
each child is different and develops at his/her own pace. Pick
toys that reflect your childs abilities and interests. In next
month's Grow Up Reading Newsletter, we'll have suggestions for
children ages 1-5 years.
Some
of the best toys are the ones you make with your child, checkout
these books at the library:
|
