| Choosing a toy for a baby or child can be a difficult | | | | depending how much noise you can bear why not |
| decision, particularly if you are not sure which toy is | | | | try a children's toolkit or for the more musical types, |
| relevant for which age. This brief guide explains which | | | | a wooden xylophone? |
| toys are best suited to which age group taking into | | | | Find out more about educational toys for toddlers |
| consideration the development stages of the baby | | | | aged 1 to 2 |
| and child. | | | | Three to four: |
| Newborn to one: | | | | At this age speech becomes a much bigger part of a |
| This is a magical year in which so much happens. | | | | small person's life and role playing games start to |
| Babies go from being able to do little other than be | | | | take over from straight forward exploration games. |
| amazed with this world to sitting up, crawling, | | | | Also, this is the time when toddlers begin to play with |
| possibly even standing up or even taking their first | | | | rather then just alongside one another. A wooden |
| steps. In the early months they will not be able to | | | | garage or a castle are perfect to share with small |
| hold a toy but will love colourful things which move | | | | friends. Bring in the mini trucks, fire engines or police |
| and play music such as a traditional music box. These | | | | cars and watch them immerse themselves in a little |
| are really useful for just before bedtime or when | | | | world of their own. |
| changing a nappy and will stay a favourite for years. | | | | Little girls will love a Vanity Case, with combs, |
| Once babies perfect their grip, everything they come | | | | powder puffs, lipstick and mirrors and for the budding |
| into contact with will be picked up and stuck into | | | | DIY specialist or gardener try a tool box or garden |
| their inquisitive little mouths. Any toy that can be | | | | bag. Kitchen games are another favourite - you can |
| easily held, safely chewed on, and preferably makes | | | | even get wooden cakes with pieces that Velcro |
| a noise, will totally delight them. Jingle bells and | | | | back together. Pretend fruit and vegetables and |
| maracas are ideal. | | | | kitchen items such as toasters are equally loved by |
| When they come close to walking they will love toys | | | | both little girls and boys. |
| like the small Wheely Bug, although they may need | | | | For the active toddler you can never go wrong with |
| help staying on. A good all-round educational toy for | | | | a pedaless wooden bike or a Wheely Bug - they |
| this age is a set of colourful, and preferably musical, | | | | come as a colourful ladybird, a bumble bee or a cow. |
| stacking blocks - initially the blocks will be played with | | | | Find out more about educational toys for toddlers |
| only for their sound and the colour attractions, but in | | | | aged 3 to 4 |
| the second year they will come into their own as a | | | | Four to five: |
| stacking toy. | | | | Preschoolers absorb information like little sponges and |
| Find out more about educational toys for babies aged | | | | frequently remember more than adults which makes |
| 0 to 1 | | | | this age the perfect time to introduce them to |
| Toddlers between one and two: | | | | educational toys like jigsaw puzzles of Britain or |
| The second year is the year of mobility. During their | | | | Europe. Show them where you went on holiday or |
| second year most toddlers will become confident on | | | | where friends and family live and then marvel when |
| their little feet and once they do, there will be no | | | | they point to Manchester and Glasgow on the map, |
| stopping them. They will explore how things work - | | | | or Greece and Ireland. |
| stack things and then knock them over, hit things to | | | | Their imagination is very fertile at this stage and toys |
| see if they break, pull them along to check if they | | | | like a multi-storey garage or castle, kitchen equipment |
| move in an interesting way or make a noise. | | | | like cookers and toasters make a perfect backdrop |
| Pull along toys are great for this age, especially those | | | | for them to play out their imaginary world. They are |
| that bend and sway, nod their heads, and enable | | | | also likely to be full of energy and enjoy being |
| some form of interactive entertainment for their | | | | physically active, so indulge them with a set of |
| young owners. Sound blocks are good for shaking | | | | wheels of their own - a bike or large Wheely Bug, for |
| and making noise too, and stacking rings are just | | | | example. If you feel like bringing the game into the |
| difficult enough for this age to provide toddlers with | | | | kitchen give your four or five year old some dough, |
| a manageable challenge. Also, don't forget shape | | | | a rolling pin and shape cutters and watch the mini |
| sorters to stretch young minds. There is nothing like | | | | master-chef at work. With any amount of luck you'll |
| noise and music to keep small people happy so | | | | have biscuits for tea! |