Toys are fun, but toys are also tools that help children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play is critical to the healthy growth and development of children.Parents also have an important role in choosing good toys. they are their children’s first and best playmates. Parents have a role in being involved in their children’s play. Children tend to be more creative when their parents are involved in their playToys are fun, but toys are also tools that help children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play is critical to the healthy growth and development of children.Parents also have an important role in choosing good toys.
In this part we mention some suggestions for parents to select appropriate toys for their child at 0-1 and 1-3 years old:
Birth to 1 year old
A baby learns about his or her surroundings by using all five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch). A child this age is also learning cause and effect. Toys this age group may enjoy include:
• Mobiles and safety mirrors;
• Rattles;
• Stacking toys;
• Simple pop-up toys;
• Picture books;
• Musical toys, squeeze toys;
• Infant swings; and
• Teething toys.
1 to 3 years old
A toddler moves around in the environment a lot (walking, climbing, pushing, riding). A strong interest in manipulating and problem solving with objects begins during this period and can be encouraged with:
figure 1- Simple puzzles, shape sorters, peg boards
• Push-pull and ride-on toys;
• Small tricycles and wagons;
• Simple puzzles, shape sorters, peg boards;(figure 1)
• Movement games;
• Large beads;
• Blocks, stacking rings;
• Picture books; and
• Crayons, markers and clay.
Keywords: children development, creativity, motor skills, parents
