Here is a guide that I wrote for one of my education courses, maybe some new parents out there will find this helpful or interesting? I will probably post another with more infant toys… maybe later this week! Anyways, I hope this is helpful:
Considering the Cognitive Development of Your Infant
While many well-meaning friends may tell you that for the first few months of his life, your infant is unable to interact with the world around him, so you needn’t waste your money on infant toys, recent research disproves that thinking. Providing proper loving care is the most important aspect of parenthood during the early months, however stimulating your baby’s ever-changing and growing mind is also of principal significance.
Newborn babies are familiar with voices they heard before birth, display signs of imitative behavior between 7-10 days after birth, and can see at birth, especially contrasting colors like black and white. Within three months of birth, an infant can recognize his mother’s voice, distinguish between voices and other sounds, and follow a moving object across the room.
According to Jean Piaget, a Swiss philosopher and developmental psychologist, an infant up to two years old is in the sensorimotor stage of development. This means that infants within this age range learn about the world through their five senses. They are learning to coordinate sights and sounds, smells and tastes. Such is the reason objects tend to go directly from an infants hand into his mouth.
While infants cannot operate the way young children over the age of two years do, they are learning and absorbing information every second through their many daily experiences. This is why choosing an appropriate infant toy is an important task for parents.
Developmentally Appropriate Toys for Infants
When choosing toys for your infant, you must take into consideration the safety of the toy and the developmental appropriateness of the toy. There are many different types of infant toys. The best ones have bright or contrasting colors, are soft to avoid injury, and are large enough to eliminate any choking hazards.
During the first year, toys that stimulate the senses are best, especially those that combine senses, such as toys that make a crinkling sound when they are touched. Toys such as these enhance cognitive development, motor skills, and active play. Floor gyms, plastic mirrors, rattles, and soft animals, dolls, blocks, or balls make the best infant toys.
The Evenflo Exersaucer is an excellent choice for infants ages 4 months and older. The Exersaucer develops gross motor skills in babies. Leg muscles will be developed and strengthened to prepare for crawling. The Exersaucer also has a variety of engaging activities attached to the tray within reach of baby. These include mirrors, rattles, and squeaky toys. While many of the toys attached to the tray are not soft, they are attached to the tray to prevent injury. This is also an easy toy to sanitize as the pieces on top are made of soft plastic and are removable.
The Tiny Love Gymini is another wonderful choice for infants. The soft padded mat is perfect for baby to develop gross motor and cognitive skills. The toys attached to the top are soft and reachable. There is also a mirror for engaged play. The mat itself is brightly-colored and soft, with three dimensional animals and plants that make squeaking and crinkling noises. The Gymini is an excellent way for infants to be stimulated and engage in active playtime.
Developmentally Inappropriate Toys for Infants
While many toys marketed for infants are first-rate when it comes to development, there are a few exceptions. Among them are the Baby Einstein DVDs. While music and colors are very stimulating to infants, the best way for them to be stimulated is by providing them with engaging and experiential play. The television does not substitute active playtime. While these DVDs are marketed as products that encourage your infant’s cognitive development, they are inappropriate toys for infants and should not be used for children under the age of two years.
