Top 10 development toys for busy babies

Give playtime more oomph with toys that are just great for boosting your baby’s skills.

1 TEXTURED BOOKS

Books with interactive elements such as raised textures and flaps will provide stimulation for eyes and fingers. Reading a story that a child can interact with helps build a bond between you and keeps her interested while you read.

2 BLOCKS

Helping to build towers of blocks, then letting your baby knock them down, will teach her cause and effect. This is where she starts realising that she has the power to change her environment. Blocks that click together are also good for developing fine motor skills.

3 TOY PHONE

Babies just love gadgets, especially ones with buttons, noises and flashes, and those that mimic adult equipment such as phones and laptops. They also encourage role play and develop imagination, and many teach colours, numbers or words.

4 DOLLS AND TEDDIES

Dolls and teddies can teach your baby how to cuddle, nurture and play gently. Show your toddler how to cuddle the doll, and she’ll imitate you. This is great for boys too (future fathers) and teaches empathy.

5 SHAPE SORTER

These are good for improving problemsolving and fine motor skills as she picks up the shapes and works out which one to push through what hole.

6 PUSH-ALONG WALKER

Your baby will love the independence a push-along walker will give her. One with a sturdy base will help her to pull herself into a standing position and strengthen her leg muscles. Walking rings are not recommended though.

7 RIDE-ON CAR

By propelling herself along, your older baby or tot will develop the muscles in her legs and her core. This will help improve her balance and her gross motor skills.

8 CRAYONS

Holding a chunky crayon (even just to scribble a bit) will help your baby develop her pincer grip, a fine motor skill that uses her thumb and forefinger and helps with feeding as well as pen skills.

9 NESTING OR STACKING CUPS

These encourage problemsolving abilities as well as hand eye coordination. They develop depth perception, and fine motor skills as your baby has to grasp and let go. Younger babies will find nesting easier and as skill develops they will learn to stack.

10 PLAY MAT OR GYMS

Mats provide a chance for tummy time, which helps your baby strengthen her neck and arm muscles. When baby learns to roll, lying under the baby gym will give her a chance to swat and grasp. Her eyes also get a workout looking at the enticing toys on the bough of the gym. ●