 Examples of Good Toys for Age Categories: Remember that each child develops at a different pace, so suggestions will overlap age groups. Childs Age: Birth to 3 months What is my child doing: - Follows moving person with eyes
- Follows moving object with eyes
- Begins to smile at people and coo
- Prefers faces and bright colors
- Reaches and lifts head
- Discovers hands
- Kicks feet
- Turns head toward sounds
- Cries but is soothed when held
Examples of good toys: - Rattles and large rings
- Squeeze or sucking toys
- Bright pictures of faces
- Bells on booties
- Vinyl or cardboard books to stand in babys view
- Mobiles
- Brightly patterned crib sheets
Childs Age: 4 to 6 months What is my child doing? - Repeats actions
- Listens intently
- Responds when spoken to
- Laughs and gurgles
- Imitates sounds
- Explores hands and feet
- Puts objects in mouth
- Sits when propped
- Rolls over, scoots, and bounces
- Grasps objects without using thumbs
- Bats at hanging objects
- Smiles often
Examples of good toys: - Soft, cuddly dolls
- Textured balls
- Socks with bright designs
- Toys that make noise when squeezed, batted, or mouthed
- Teething toys
- Cloth or soft vinyl books with bright pictures to grasp, chew, and shake
- Unbreakable mirror
- Pictures of faces
- Fingerplays
- Simple songs
- Peek-a-boo
Childs Age: 7 to 12 months What is my child doing? - Remembers simple events
- Forms simple concepts
- Identifies himself/herself (body parts)
- Identifies voices of familiar people
- Understands own name and other common words
- Says first meaningful words
- Explores
- Bangs and shakes objects with hand
- Finds hidden objects
- Puts objects in and out of containers
- Sits alone
- Creeps and pulls himself/herself up to stand or walk
- May seem shy or upset with strangers
Examples of good toys: All of the above plus, - Rag and baby dolls
- Stuffed animals and puppets
- Containers for large beads, blocks, and balls
- Nesting toys or plastic containers
- Board books to read
- Older magazines to tear
- Recordings of voices and animal sounds
- Music
- Wooden blocks and large soft blocks
- Water toys that float
- Rubber or large plastic balls
- Soft plastic or wooden vehicles with wheels
- Games like peek-a-boo
Childs Age: 12 to 18 months What is my child doing? - Imitates adult actions
- Speaks and understands more words
- Understands more ideas
- Enjoys stories
- Experiments with objects
- Walks steadily, climbs stairs
- Asserts independence
- Strongly prefers familiar people
- Plays alone
- Develops friendships
- Recognizes ownership of objects
- Beginning to understand what adults want them to do, but does not yet have the ability to control himself/herself
Examples of good toys: All of the above, plus, - Surprise or music boxes
- Puzzles, 2-6 large pieces with knobs
- Books/recordings with songs
- Rhymes, simple stories and pictures
- Wide watercolor markers, nontoxic fat crayons, and large blank paper
- Fingerpainting
- Geometric, unit, or cardboard blocks
- Action figures and animals
- Wood or rubber vehicles
- Pounding bench and large tools
- Sand and water toys
- Large cardboard box to crawl in
- Toys that jingle or move when used
- Kitchen cupboard and safe pots, lids, pans, and large utensils
Childs Age: 18 to 24 months What is my child doing? - Solves problems
- Speaks and understands even more
- Shows pride in accomplishments
- Likes to help with tasks
- Exhibits more body control
- Runs
- Plays more with others
- Begins pretend play
Examples of good toys: All of the above plus, - Self-help toys: Sorting boxes and holes with pegs
- Large spools or beads to string
- Books with large colorful illustrations
- Short stories
- Soft dough or clay
- Bells and drums
- Small broom, sponge, pots and pans
- Camera
- Shopping cart
- Wagon and steerable riding toys
- Toy telephone or cell phone
- Washable dolls
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