They are ready for toys they can manipulate with some
ease that produce noise and motion. Babies at this
stage can start playing with plastic or wooden blocks,
instruments like the drum, rolling toys etc besides
what they already have in their collection.
Stacking
rings, nesting cups can be introduced when
babies start to sit up with minimal support, which
is usually around 6 months of age. The meaning of
smaller and larger and just what fits where is not
discovered until some months later but they still
enjoy making mistakes and randomly trying again.
Rings are stacked in the wrong order and with some
trials and errors they chance on the right way.
It is best not to interfere in their attempts. Let
them have fun in making mistakes. They can be excused
at this age!
Blocks made from plastic or wood are ideal
at this age and beyond. At six months, the baby
will probably limit play to banging the blocks together
or placing them one on top of the other. In later
stages they are able to build wobbly towers with
them.
Activity pads or baby
gyms come with multiple patterns and colors
with attachable toys. Babies learn how to swat at
and focus and reach out for the overhanging toys
and eventually other objects that interest them.
The more varied and colorful pads will sustain your
baby's interest well into toddler days.
Stuffed
toys with built in music boxes help develop
your baby's taste in music. Show your baby how to
wind up these toys and let them feel the vibrations
as it moves.
Musical instruments
which they can play and listen to help tune the
audio senses. Chimes, bells, drums, xylophones,
squeaky toys, anything that is musical and noisy
appeal these young minds. Ensure the toys don't
possess high decibel levels that can harm baby's
hearing at this age. Check manufacturer's tag before
you make the purchase.
Busy boxes contain
more intricate gizmos such as character pop-ups, pretend
phone dials that ring. Mostly placed on the floor,
choose one with long standing value by seeing to it
that they contain lots of sounds, colors and features.
Some mobiles come with music boxes; it is time to
replace black and white mobiles with colorful versions
Books with pages
made out of heavy laminated cardboard are easy to
turn, too hardy to swallow. Cloth books at this stage
have limited lifespan.
Balls and balloons
are also popular with babies. You can start playing
balls with babies as soon as they are able to sit
on their own, although much of the retrieving and
rolling will be done by you. Reaching for the ball
will help baby practice balancing skills as well as
eye-hand coordination. Deflated or damaged balloons
can pose as choking hazards so be careful.
Rattles double as
teeters at this stage. They function as gum soothers
and the rattling sound and attractive packaging is
pleasing to the ears and eyes.
The final word
Try
singing to your child even if it is tuneless;
your baby delights in hearing the song because you
are singing it. Dancing with your baby is one way
to engage all her senses.
It doesn't hurt to
introduce books at an early age. Even if
the activity of reading itself does not register,
the experience will. Point to images and make sounds
where necessary. Babies enjoy animal sounds.
Maximize bath time
with fun by loading up the tub with free-floating
buddies like ducks, fishes, boats. Add cups so that
they learn to pour water into the tub. Babies six
months up, toddlers and even preschoolers enjoy
fantasy play. Soak toys occasionally in diluted
vinegar to prevent soap scum buildup.
Avoid the risk of
entanglement by removing all suspended toys
above the crib once your baby has learned to push
up on her hands and knees.
Run a safety check
on toys for wear and tear. If the toy cannot be
mended, it's time it went into the bin.
