Toys that WORK

Here is our guide to simple and practical toys to stimulate your child and help her learn vital developmental skills.

6 TO 12 MONTHS

Your little baby has transformed into an explorer with an intense interest in the world around her. She loves playing with toys that can open and close, with buttons to press and bits to pull – and that have a reaction for her every action. She is refining her hand motor skills now too. Invest in toys that encourage her to make different movements.

■ FLOATING BATH TOYS: perceptual ability, fine motor skills, problem solving.

■ SHAPE SORTERS: perceptual ability, fine motor skills, problem solving, object permanence.

■ STACKING BOWLS: hand-eye coordination, colour recognition.

■ STUFFED TOYS AND DOLLS: touch, emotional security.

■ WOODEN BUILDING BLOCKS: fine motor skills.

■ SHATTERPROOF MIRROR: self-awareness and social development.

■ CLOTH, CARDBOARD OR PLASTIC BOOKS: social and language development, visual stimulation.

■ FINGER PUPPETS AND JACK-IN-THE-BOX:

Object permanence, cause and effect. 1 TO 2 YEARS

Your toddler is a great mimic and constantly copies you. She’s becoming more and more mobile and loves things that go, toys she can push, pull, drag and that help her move faster. ■ TOY TELEPHONE, BROOM, IRONING BOARD, PLASTIC TOOLKIT (ALL TO COPY

YOU): social development, as well as gross and fine motor skills.

■ LARGE SOFT BALL: hand-eye coordination, foot-eye coordination, gross motor skills.

■ SAND AND WATER TOYS: perceptual ability, fine motor skills, problem solving, object permanence.

■ A STABLE PUSHWAGON: balance, gross motor skills, encourages walking. ■ SIMPLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS RATTLES AND A DRUM (MADE FOR INFANTS):

auditory stimulation.

■ SIT-AND-RIDE TOYS: gross motor skills, balance.

■ LARGE TOY CARS AND DOLLS AND OTHER PRETEND PLAY TOYS:

Fantasy play. ■ PICTURE BOOKS WITH ONE PICTURE PER PAGE: language and social development.

■ JUNGLE GYM WITH SWING AND SLIDE: gross motor development.

■ WOODEN BLOCKS: fine motor skills, planning.

■ SIMPLE WOODEN JIGSAW PUZZLES WITH

PULL BUTTONS: fine motor skills, motor planning, spatial awareness.

2 YEARS

Your tot is becoming ever more social, but still enjoys imitating you.

■ PUSH BIKE: balance, gross motor development.

■ SOFT TOYS AND DOLLS IN PRAM: gross motor skills, imagination.

■ THICK CRAYONS AND FINGER PAINT: fine motor skills, touch, sensory stimulation.

■ SIMPLE BOOKS: language development.

■ PUZZLES (FOUR TO SIX PIECES): fine motor skills, planning, spatial awareness.

■ OUTDOOR WENDYHOUSE: imagination.

■ TEA SETS, COOKING SETS, TOOLKIT: imagination, imitation.

■ MINIATURE FARM AND ANIMALS:

Imaginative play.

3 YEARS

Fantasy play is at fever pitch. But your child also enjoys playing alongside – and sometimes even with – playmates.

■ SUPERHERO OR FAIRY OUTFIT: imagination, social development.

■ PLAYDOUGH: fine motor skills.

■ DRESS-UP SETS SUCH AS DOCTOR OR

BUILDER: imagination, creativity. ■ PUZZLES (10 TO 20 PIECES): planning, spatial awareness.

■ CONSTRUCTION TOYS AND MID-SIZED LEGO PIECES: fine motor skills, planning. ■ PLASTIC ANIMALS: imaginative play. ■ PAINT SETS, CRAYONS, PAPER: fine motor skills, creativity. ■ CARS AND DOLLS: fantasy play. ■ TRICYCLE: coordination, balance. ■ BALLS: gross motor skills, midline crossing, timing.