Let’s Get Real About… Toys!
We are about to cover a hot topic here so first thing first, you know what’s best for your family. These are just my thoughts on a ~spicy~ topic.
You already know that I’m toy obsessed. So much so that I started my own business that sells all my favorite kid toys, The Citizen & Co! Well, hold on, I guess I’m actually obsessed with my kids having the right toys… Toys that help them develop, grow, and have fun.
I believe that playtime should be purposeful so that it challenges them, teaches them, and gosh sakes- keeps our kiddos entertained! 😉 The right toys will help your little ones develop necessary skills that will help them to succeed in school and beyond. I know that sounds daunting- but it’s easier than you think to give your children a playtime that’s all of this and more.
Things I Note When I’m Buying Toys:
- Baby play is different from toddler play! Toddler play is different from preschool play! And so on and so on. It’s important that you’re buying age-appropriate toys. Good toys need to match their stage of development and emerging abilities to be engaging and fun for them.
- Can they play with it independently? Independent play teaches children how to be self-reliant, creative, imaginative, and even improves focus and thinking capabilities. Good examples of independent toys are books, puzzles, sensory bins, and blocks!
- Toys help develop essential fine motor skills. Make sure you have toys that include grabbing, lacing, matching, etc…
- Will they be overstimulating? Toys with bright lights and sounds are stressful for children under 3, they haven’t learned how to process them yet. We try to stick with mostly wooden, cotton, and natural toys that won’t interfere with development.
- Kids love toys that give them something to be proud of! Accomplishing a challenging task is a big deal, challenging toys will build your child’s confidence and also keep them entertained. It’s important to know your child’s skill level because if all the toys around them are too challenging they feel defeated and if they’re not challenging enough, it’s not doing anything.
- What is the toy made of? We love wooden toys and highly recommend them because they are not full of wanted chemicals, they’re sturdy, and the open-ended nature of wooden toys means your child will be able to use the same item in multiple different ways.
The Best Toys For Your Child’s Age:
0-6 Months: Babies love to look around and explore their new world! Sensitive to light and sound, your newborn is already becoming aware of its new world. Rattles, large rings, squeeze toys, teethers, soft dolls, and blankets. Also, lullabies to listen to and pictures to look at.
6-12 Months: Older babies love to move- crawling, pulling, rolling, and more! They’re starting to understand words, their names, and objects. Stacking toys, balls, blocks, matching games, and simple puzzles and books are great!
1-Year-Olds: Always on the go- one-year-olds are enjoying stories, saying their first words, and discovering! We love big board books, puzzles, building, and non-toxic paints. Pretend wooden phones, guitars, animals, and cars spark their imagination!
2-Year-Olds: Encourage your child’s budding independence! Toddlers are rapidly learning and do a lot of physical “testing”: jumping from heights, climbing, rolling, you name it! Anything that problem solving, building, pretending, or creating is perfect. Like blocks that snap together, buckles, puzzles, construction sets, puppets, dress-up dolls, chalkboards, tunnels, play kitchens, cars, and picture books.
3-Year-Olds: Support your child’s curious years as they’re growing out of the “baby” things. It sounds weird, but children love to help and feel involved. Play pet care, play cleaning, and vacuums make them feel included and confident. Bigger books, guessing and matching games, challenging puzzles, and counting games will grow their smart brains!
Proverbs 18:15 tells us that “an intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” It’s all about educating yourself and knowing where your child is at. There is no better mama for your baby than YOU! I just want to educate and empower you to be the best Mama you can be! I’m praying this inspires you to go out and live a purposeful, intentional life. And as always, do your own research 😉