During the first twelve months, infants grow and change every day. Before they can speak, infants are learning about language and the world around them through their senses of hearing, sight, touch, and taste. Choose toys that support their development by stimulating those senses. These toys are good choices to encourage learning in infants up to about 12 months.
As always, when choosing toys for your child, follow age-recommendations on the package for safety. Always check toys for loose or dangerous parts. Any toys small enough to pass through a paper towel core must not be given to children under three.
This multisensory toy is part of a new line of toys for infants and toddlers marketed by Mathew and Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s father and sister). This musical chair has numbered, light up buttons that play sounds and nursery rhymes with hip-hop sounds and rhythm. This toy helps develop an awareness of cause and effect relationships, sound discrimination, rhythm, and repetition that is important for young children's learning.
The Hooked on Phonics programs teach children to read by encouraging early language skill development in 15 minute activities. Hooked on Phonics focuses on building vocabulary through sight, sound, and exposure to early language concepts. This product is recommended for babies age two to four for participation. The program includes visuals, CDs, videos, and engaging materials.
Pat the Bunny is a classic baby book illustrated with pictures and textures such as faux fur, cloth, and more. Reading to your baby every day is a good way to instill a lifelong love of reading, and this book is a good way to start.
The classic Pat the Bunny series continues in the garden with touchy - feely pictures for you and your baby to enjoy.
As your baby learns to reach for objects, this plush little puppy is a great way to encourage her to work on reaching and grasping skills. This interactive little puppy responds to her grasp with sounds, words, and songs. It teaches her the spoken words for the alphabet, numbers, colors, and more through cause and effect interaction.
As your baby develops the ability to sit without support, pull himself up, and to sit in a baby-sized chair, this product can encourage and support that physical development as well as teaching concepts. Your baby will learn names and sounds of common animals, practice colors, begin counting, and develop the concept of "opposite."
The Hooked on Phonics programs teach children to read by encouraging early language skill development in 15 minute activities. Hooked on Phonics focuses on building vocabulary through sight, sound, and exposure to early language concepts. This product is recommended for babies age two to four for participation but is a less comprehensive and less expensive version than the deluxe program, if you want less of an investment in the purchase. Like the deluxe edition, this program includes video, music, books, and more.
As your baby develops the ability to throw with direction, this basketball toy will encourage her to work on that skill. Begin with the net at a low setting and raise it as she grows. Not only does this toy stimulate physical activity, it also teachers letters, numbers, and encourages development of early words. As with the other toys highlighted here, you can double the fun and learning by playing with your child.
