Babies: How They Play
Babies start to develop increasingly sophisticated physical, cognitive, and social skills as they get closer to their first birthday. They require toys that can support them as they continue to learn and develop since they are becoming more independent and inquisitive about the world around them. In this post, we’ll talk about the advantages of giving one-year-old developmental toys and give some examples of toys that can help with that development. Make sure the toys you select are enjoyable and suitable for the child’s stage of development. Colors, sounds, and textures fascinate kids at this age. They also enjoy putting items in their mouths, so pick toys that are secure and simple to wash.
What are developmental toys?
Toys that help a child’s development and growth are known as developmental toys. These toys encourage the growth of a child’s physical, cognitive, language, and social abilities, among other areas of development. One-year-olds are in a developmental stage where they are growing more independent and mobile and are starting to explore their surroundings. Important cognitive and social abilities including communication, problem-solving, and emotional control are also being developed in them. These abilities can be supported and healthy development encouraged with the use of developmental toys.
Benefits of developmental toys
Promote physical development
By fostering hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and gross motor abilities, developmental toys can aid in promoting physical growth. Gross motor skills can be improved by playing with toys that require crawling, walking, or climbing, whereas fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination can be improved by playing with toys that require stacking, sorting, or manipulating objects.
Support cognitive development
By offering chances for problem-solving, investigation, and discovery, developmental toys support the cognitive growth of toddlers. Problem-solving abilities can be enhanced by playing with toys that feature cause-and-effect interactions, such as push-and-pull toys or games with buttons and levers. Toys that promote discovery and investigation, such as puzzles or sensory toys, can aid in cognitive abilities.
Enhance language abilities
By facilitating dialogue and social contact, developmental toys can help improve language abilities. Communication abilities and language development can be enhanced by playing with toys that promote social engagement, like board games or pretend play items.
Nurture emotional development
By encouraging empathy, self-control, and emotional expression, developmental toys can also nurture emotional development. Dolls and action figures are two examples of role-playing toys that might aid in a child’s growth in empathy and comprehension of various viewpoints. Playdough and finger paint are examples of sensory-rich toys that can assist kids in learning how to control their emotions and communicate effectively.
Safety considerations when selecting toys
It’s crucial to think about a one-year-old’s safety when selecting toys for them. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding safety:
Age-appropriateness
Stick to the age guidelines on the toy packaging and select toys that are made exclusively for one-year-olds. A choking hazard is easily preventable by not selecting toys with small parts or detachable small parts.
Durability
Check to see, if the toys can handle hard play and frequent use. Avoid playing with toys that have protruding edges, loose parts, or fragile parts. Toddlers will quite often throw their toys on the ground, the toys must be able to handle the rough use.
Non-toxic materials
Select toys that are safe for kids to eat by using non-toxic materials. Avoid playing with toys that may have lead-based paint or dangerous chemicals in them. Check toys frequently for signs of damage, wear, and tear, or other potential dangers. Toys that are no longer secure or in good shape should be thrown away. Make sure that toys are kept in a place where children cannot get them without adult supervision.
Parents can guarantee that their one-year-olds have a fun and safe time playing with their toys by adhering to these safety precautions.
Shaper sorters for one-year-olds
Shape sorters make excellent first-year-old toys because they foster cognitive growth and problem-solving abilities. They also promote hand-eye coordination and fine motor abilities. Shape sorters typically consist of a container with matched blocks or forms that fit into the various shaped apertures. When introducing a form sorter to a one-year-old, it’s crucial to pick a toy that is both secure and suitable for their age. Choose a shape sorter with big, easy-to-hold blocks that won’t suffocate children. Blocks made of soft plastic or wood provide good choices.
A young toddler could at first only take pleasure in grasping and investigating the blocks. As infants grow older, they might start to identify the shapes and practice putting them in their respective slots. This encourages the development of spatial and problem-solving abilities.
Parents can support their child’s play with a shape sorter by offering encouragement and demonstrating how to properly insert the shapes into the slots. The following are some well-liked shape-sorting toys for one-year-olds:
- Bright Basics by Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks :This beloved toy comes with a bucket that can be separated into five distinct shapes.
- Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube :This wooden cube includes six distinct shapes that need to be sorted, and it’s perfect for improving hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities.
- Tech Sort & Discover Activity Cube :Shape Sorter is one of five play areas on the VTech Sort & Discover Activity Cube, also incorporates lights, noises, and music to interest and occupy young children.
- The Educational Journey : This puzzle-style shape sorter has 15 two-piece puzzles with various forms and related graphics to match.
Push-and-pull toys for one-year-olds
Push-and-pull toys are excellent for one-year-olds because they develop coordination and gross motor skills. Children benefit from their understanding of cause-and-effect interactions. To move the toy, a youngster usually pushes or pulls on a handle or piece of rope attached to a base with wheels. Push-and-pull toys have the advantage of being used both inside and outside. They give kids an enjoyable method to exercise while encouraging them to explore their environment.
Choose a toy with solid construction and easy-to-roll wheels. Select a handle or string that is simple for kids to hold and pull while not being too long to be a trip hazard. Parents can encourage their children to play with push-and-pull toys by offering encouragement and showing them how to push or pull the item properly. given below are some push-and-pull toys that are in the market
- Hape Wonder Walker :For stability and silent operation, this wooden walker includes a strong base and rubberized wheels. A shape sorter and bead maze are among the interactive components that are included.
- Radio Flyer Classic Walker Waggon : Solid wood makes up the body of the Radio Flyer Classic Walker Waggon, which also has detachable wooden stake sides. It may be used both inside and outside and has a push handle for parent or carer help.
- VTech Pull and Sing Puppy : This toy is interactive and has a puppy that rolls and wobbles as it is pushed along. It also has buttons, songs, and phrases to promote learning and play.
- The Green Toys Fire Truck is a durable push toy that has wheels that roll. It is manufactured from recycled plastic milk jugs. It also has an extendable ladder and two removable firefighters.
Stacking toys for one-year-olds
For one-year-olds, blocks, and stacking toys are traditional developmental toys that provide a vast set of advantages. They stimulate problem-solving, creativity, and imagination in addition to fine motor abilities, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. For one-year-olds, the following examples of blocks and stacking toys are suitable:
- First Builders Mega Bloks :These blocks come in a variety of shapes and vivid colors and are large and simple for small hands to grasp. They can be sorted and stacked, and a storage bag is included for simple cleanup.
- Bright Basics by Fisher-Price Stack & Roll Cups :These vibrant cups have different-sized holes for water play and can be stacked and nestled. They have a rattle ball within the top cup for additional sensory stimulation, and they may be built up to three feet high.
- Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker :This wooden stacking toy comes with 25 bright wooden pieces that are arranged in different geometric forms and may be placed on the wooden base that is also included. It presents fundamental math ideas like forms, colors, and sizes while fostering hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
Musical toys for one-year-olds
For one-year-olds, musical toys can be a great source of pleasure and developmental advantages. Here are some illustrations of musical toys suitable for this age group:
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy : This musical toy features vibrant lights that dance to seven classical tunes. It encourages stimulation of the auditory and visual systems as well as hand-eye coordination.
VTech KidiBeats Drum Set : This drum set has four play modes that teach letters, numbers, and music. It comes with three drum pads and a cymbal. It introduces fundamental educational ideas and encourages rhythm and fine motor skills.
Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone : This vintage xylophone has eight vibrant keys that, when struck with the included mallet, produce melodic sounds. It presents fundamental musical ideas and encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table : This engaging musical activity center has more than 70 songs and games that help kids learn their numbers, letters, and colors. It introduces fundamental educational ideas and fosters hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.
Sensory toys for one-year-olds
One-year-olds can explore and interact with their environment very well with the help of sensory toys. They offer chances for tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation, which can aid in the development of the mind and body. Here are some illustrations of sensory toys suitable for one-year-olds:
Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy : This wooden toy has a special design that makes it simple for small hands to grab and control. It encourages the development of fine motor abilities, hand-eye coordination, and sensory awareness.
For children between the ages of one and two, Fat Brain Toys offers Dimpl Baby Toys & Gifts. This toy features a silicone surface with raised buttons that can be pushed in and popped out, stimulating the tactile sense and fostering fine motor skills.
Edushape See-Me Sensory Balls : The eight colorful Edushape See-Me Sensory Balls have a rough surface that stimulates the touch and encourages sensory exploration.
Parents can encourage their children to explore and experiment with the many textures, colors, and forms as they play with sensory toys. They can aid their child’s language development by using descriptive language to express the various sensations.
