Knowing which toy to pick
Although toddlers will already have specific preferences in terms of toys and games they like it’s best to check with the parents before buying a toy. Kids own a lot of stuff nowadays and this will, at least, avoid duplication. Most importantly it will help make sure that the toy is something that they will like playing with and that it is right for their age and developmental stages.
The fact is that kids will play more with toys they like — so, they’ll get more benefits from them. And, getting the age and developmental stage right maximises their potential for learning.Toddler toys
There are all kinds of toddler toys to choose from — many will help them develop mentally whilst others will help them develop physically.
For example, toddlers love handling toys and particularly enjoy playing with balls, bricks and blocks and smaller toys such as character figures, dolls and soft toys. They enjoy toys with which they can interact and role play so look out for toy phones, kitchens and play food and animals and people. Things with buttons to press and noises to make will always appeal as well.
Vehicles are also a big hit here — for girls as well as boys. Trains, cars, boats and planes will all go down well with play-sets such as an airport or station a sure-fire hit.
Don’t think that toddlers are too young for books. It’s wise to pick hard board books in general here as small fingers find paper too easy to tear which can sometimes be more fun than actually reading! Look for books with flaps and pop-ups and ones that introduce them to things such as animals, letters and numbers.
Creative play is also helpful at this age — chunky crayons and paint brushes can help a toddler develop fine motor skills. Drawing and painting can also help them start to work with colours and to use their imagination.
Don’t forget about physical play here either. Toddlers will benefit from outdoor toys such as swings and slides, climbing frames and play apparatus. Look at ride-ons and push toys to help with balance and walking and don’t forget tricycles and scooters.Conclusion
Safety is still a big issue with toddlers — they still tend to put things in their mouths so avoid toys with small parts that could choke them. Look for British Standards accreditation such as a Kite Mark, the Lion Mark or the CE or EN rating. These marks show that the toy has passed certain standards and is safe to use.