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