Toys for You & Your Baby

by Susan Miller, BScN

Let’s admit it—as adults we derive great pleasure from buying toys for babies and children. It brings out the child in us and takes us back to our happy days of play. We imagine the fun that our little ones will have with the new toy and look forward to playing along with them. Toy manufacturers have capitalized on this by producing a myriad of toys that appeal to the people who will select and purchase the toys—the adults! At holiday time it is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of toy buying. However, babies under the age of two have simple needs when it comes to toys. Toys that delight babies and become their favourites are usually the classic simple toys that have withstood the test of time. These basic toys do not need batteries and need not be expensive either.

The holiday season provides a stimulating environment for your baby so his interest in his new toys may not be what you expected. The packaging and wrapping paper can keep him busy for hours while the parents try out the new toy. Occasionally a baby will react with terror to a toy with startling flashing lights, loud sounds or a very strange face. Take this cue from your baby and put that toy away for a much later date. You cannot convince your baby to like a toy if his first impression was fright.

In the busy holiday time, babies can have trouble focusing on their new toys. If possible, space your baby’s gifts out over a few days so that he can enjoy each one at his own pace and interest.

Choosing Toys
The Infant (0-6 months)
Infant play is related to the development of the senses. Look for toys that feature a variety of textures, shapes, colours and sounds. Toys for infants should encourage grasping and reaching. Babies of this age enjoy rattles, squeeze toys, plush toys (soft, simple and washable), simple mobiles with bright colours, crib gyms and unbreakable mirrors.

The Young Baby (6-12 months)
Young babies are becoming increasingly mobile and aware of their environment. As babies develop crawling and creeping skills, they enjoy toys that move along the ground such as balls and simple push toys. Young babies like to play with stacking toys and all types of containers. Water play in the bathtub becomes great fun for the young baby too. Tub toys should be simple and easy to dry. This is also a great time to introduce your baby to simple books (sturdy board books are best). Books with easily recognized uncluttered pictures are exciting to babies of this age. Music boxes and simple shakers also amuse the young baby.

The Toddler (1-2 years)
Babies of this age are explorers and love the cause-and-effect relationships in their environment. Active, on-the-move toddlers need safe toys to experiment with. As baby learns to walk she will enjoy push and pull toys. Hammering and pounding toys give the baby an opportunity to explore this new skill without distressing every piece of your furniture. Baby can also use very simple puzzles and musical instruments. Water toys are even more popular than they were earlier! A soft and huggable baby doll is often a cherished toy at this age. Simple sandbox toys are a hit for outdoor play. Toddlers love to sift and pour sand and water at home or at the beach.

Always choose well-made toys that are age-appropriate for safe play by your baby. Let your child’s abilities and preferences guide you in your choices. Some babies demand more exciting stimulation, while others enjoy a more quiet type of play. Toys should never be chosen for the purpose of developing any particular skill or ability in your baby. Babyhood is a time for fun and exploration, and babies learn best through play. Remember that the most significant factor in baby’s enjoyment of a toy or activity is the special interactions they share with you and other caregivers.

Less Can Be More
Have you ever gone into a restaurant and been faced with an extensive menu with numerous tantalizing choices? You may have felt more stressed and confused than delighted. You probably asked the server for some guidance and suggestions. This same dynamic happens for babies when they are faced with too many stimulating toys. Baby may flit from one toy to the next without actually focusing on any particular activity. Baby quickly becomes frustrated by this and demands some help and attention from the parent. Parents can help to create a more enjoyable and supportive environment for baby’s play by limiting the number of toys offered. Rotating toys every week or so is a good strategy. Other toys can be reserved for special times of the day such as waking time or when going out somewhere. By limiting the number of toys that are in use at any one time, parents can reduce the stress and clutter in the house as well.

Toy Storage
Years ago parents used toy boxes with lids to store toys in a tidy manner. One of the drawbacks of a large toy box was that the toys were not easily seen, and only the toys on the top were played with. Today the classic toy box has been replaced by a variety of plastic boxes that are readily available at a reasonable cost. Lightweight, sturdy plastic boxes or bins with and without lids provide many options for toy storage. These are available in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, and this makes them even more fun to use. Plastic bins can be stacked or placed on a shelf within the reach of young children. See-through boxes will also allow children to see what is inside. Keeping toys in these boxes makes it much easier to put some away and rotate other toys as needed. Over time, children learn which toys belong in which box, and it becomes a fun game to sort toys into their respective boxes as quickly as possible. Having a “time to put the toys away” routine not only helps keep the house more orderly but teaches children important organizational skills as well. Children as young as two years old enjoy the sense of accomplishment and contribution they get from picking up their toys.

Enjoy playing with your baby and his new toys.

Susan Miller R.N. BScN is a Perinatal Educator and Certified Breastfeeding Counsellor. She works with prenatal and post-natal families in the Greater Victoria area and is the proud grandmother of Meredith born July 2008.