As they move into the toddler years children gain increased strength, and gross motor skills develop as they progress from crawling to walking, running, climbing and jumping. Toddlers delight in the new freedom and exhilaration that these skills give them and will practice a developing skill with the determination of an elite athlete until they master it. Toddlers love toys and activities that provide a challenge for their increasing motor skills. From their first tentative steps through to leaps from breathtaking heights that have their parent’s hearts leaping into their mouths toddlers love to move. As their gross motor skills are progressing in leaps and bounds, so to is their fine motor and cognitive development. Below is a list of some great toys to look for when buying for toddlers.
Stacking, nesting and sorting toys: Toddlers are beginning to sort and categorise the things around them, developing concepts of shape, colour and size. They love stacking and sorting toys. Perfect toys for this age group are stacking rings, stacking and nesting cups, stacking and nesting boxes and the like. Shape sorters are also perfect for children from approximately 18 months of age. These help with problem solving, motor skills, shape recognition and visual discrimination.
Stacking and Nesting boxes
Puzzles: From about 18 months toddlers become interested in puzzles. Puzzles are great for encouraging problem solving and positive thinking. Start out with simple wooden peg puzzles and jigsaw puzzles with 2-3 pieces, graduating to more complex puzzles as your toddler needs a greater challenge. Give you toddler every opportunity to work out a puzzle independently, provide hints and encouragement if they get truly stuck. It is good for children to experience a little frustration and then find their own solutions to problems as it helps them develop resilience and a sense of accomplishment.
Wooden Push Toys, Baby Walkers and Pull Toys: Wooden push toys or baby walkers are fabulous for children just taking their first steps. Please note that by baby walkers I am referring to push along trolleys, not the infant walkers with a seat and wheels that have been linked to many accidents and are not recommended. Wooden baby walkers or trolleys help your little one by providing stability as they take their first steps. The appeal of these toys lasts thorough the toddler years and beyond as they become a trolley for transporting treasures, a pram for dolls and toy animal friends, supermarket trolley, builder’s tool box and much more. Look for a solidly constructed walker. Some, such as the Wonderworld brand of walkers come with a friction system that allows you to control the speed, great for wooden or concrete floors. Pull toys are also great for young toddlers as they help develop the concept of cause and effect, and more practiced walkers love to pull them around behind them as they move.
Wooden Baby Walker
Ride on toys: A ride on toys is a must have for kids of this age. Make sure that it is stable and the right height for your toddler to sit comfortably while propelling themselves along. Also ensure that there is a simple steering mechanism. Avoid battery powered ride on toys as not only do these take the fun and exercise out of using the toy, they are not good for our environment.
Crayons: Let your child experiment with crayons and large pieces of paper. Buy chunky crayons which are easier for little ones to handle and help encourage a correct grip. Attach paper to an easel or tape it to the table so that it stays in place as they create their masterpieces.
Hammering and ball drop toys: Hammering benches are another toddler favourite. These help develop hand eye co-ordination, and the concepts of cause and effect and object permanence. These toys will keep toddlers intrigued, and they love the physicality of hammering things.
Wooden Blocks: A set of wooden blocks is a must for the toy box. Toddlers will begin by stacking a few blocks on top of each other then delight in knocking them down again. As they develop skills in building their constructions will become more complex. When buying blocks for toddlers ensure that they comply with toys safety standards for children less than 3 years.
Toys for imitative play: Toddlers love to imitate what they see in the world around them: cooking, gardening, role playing and the like. Provide your children with child sized version of the tools you use (we have a broom with a telescopic handle for our kids), kitchen play sets, toy vehicles, dress ups, tea sets, dolls and toy animals.
Box of Donuts
A word about toy safety: Toy safety continues to be very important in the toddler years. Only buy toys that are rated as safe for toddlers, as children under 3 years still use their mouths to discover the would around them and small toys or toys with small parts present a choking hazard. Ensure that toys are solidly constructed. If pieces break off they not only become a choking hazard, they may cause an injury. Always buy quality toys. They may be more expensive initially, but will provide fun for a number of children and are safer than poorly constructed toys.
What are your toddler’s favourite toys?
