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