by Hila Bahari
It's the most s-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l-l time of the year! Don't let the stress of finding the perfect gift for your little one take the WONDER out of the holiday season!
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, but for children, play is serious learning."
As Mr. Rogers said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, but for children, play is serious learning.” Many parents intuitively know play is important, but despite its many benefits, they rarely associate play with learning. Decades of research indicate that play builds the foundation for a lifetime of learning! The skills children learn through play in the early years set the stage for future learning and success from the preschool classroom to the workplace.
In the guide I share with you some top toys by age. Some can be played with sooner and others your child will grow and play with for a very long time. The Toys I suggest are long term toys and not "one-and-done".
Here are some things to keep in mind when picking toys:
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The MORE the TOY does the LESS your CHILD will do, the LESS the TOY does the MORE your CHILD will do. Yes, it’s that simple. ⠀
Plastic, even BPA free may still be harmful. When constantly exposing your child to plastic toys from a very young age you are allowing more toxins to enter the body. Toys made with PVC leak out toxic chemicals that are especially harmful when babies put toys in their mouths. A few toys may be okay but it is ultimately better to avoid these products. ⠀
Toys that foster imagination and are open ended— These are the toys you want to surround your child with. You want to allow them to be their own little explorers, let their imagination lead the way rather than a toy leading. This is another reason babies will reach out for kitchen items, remotes, shoes and other items around your house. They are meant to explore. ⠀
Rotate the toys—Research shows that less toys, at a time, is actually better for your child. It leads to more creativity and helps with your child’s focus. The best option is to keep some toys out for your child to play with, and the rest put away. Once a week or once a month do a rotation of toys in the child’s play area. ⠀⠀
Choose toys that don’t dictate the play rather allow your child to lead and explore, require interaction and encourage critical thinking.
Check out our FREE, simple guide to help you know what toys are BEST for your child in each developmental stage!
XOXO Hila
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