Recommended Toys For Childhood Development

Recommended Toys For Childhood Development

By Ian Larson, AZOPT Physical Therapy Student

Birth to 3 months

During the first couple of months your baby needs plenty of tummy time and opportunities to reach for toys.  By the end of the third month your baby can hold their head up while on their tummy, and what better way to encourage your child than to use the tummy time prop up mat.(1.)

The tummy time cruiser is a great way to encourage your little one to push themselves on their elbows and arms.  This amazing toy will help your little one develop their arm and neck strength:

Twist and Fold Gym

Bright Starts Tummy Cruiser Prop & Play Mat(2.)                               

$24.99

The activity gym will help your child develop arm and trunk strength while they are on their back.

Infantino Vintage Twist and Fold Activity Gym (2.)

$39.99

4-7 months

Elephant Shape Sorter

Your baby has grown so fast and can now sit and reach for toys that are close by and bring them to their body.  Your baby may now be rocking on their hands and knees and creeping on his tummy.  Your child will also start to place their hands around toys. (1.) 

Here is a great toy to encourage your baby to reach for objects, identify shapes and begin to solve problems:

Growing baby elephant shape sorter (2.)

 $9.00

8-12 months old

Your baby amuses themselves by putting things in containers and taking them out again.  Your baby is getting closer to walking each day.  At this stage in their development the child should work on strengthening their legs and increasing their balance. (1.) 

This toy is great to build your baby’s balance and abdominal strength.  This toy will also help strengthen their leg by getting on and off the toy:

Rockin’ Tunes Giraffe (2.)

 $40.00

1 to 2 years old

During this time your child is moving around more and learning how to play through walking and some jumping.  This is a great time to encourage your child to walk as much as they can in order to improve their balance and leg strength. (1.) 

This toy is fantastic for your child’s development because it can be used for many activities that will help your child walk, balance, and improve their overall coordination:

Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Push N' Scoot (2.)

 $54.99

3-4 years old

Your child continues to be on the move.  At 3-4 your child should walk up and down stairs, kick , throw, and catch a ball.  Your child should also demonstrate run and ride a tricycle, hop, ride a tricycle, and walk forwards and backwards. (1.)

The little basketball set is a great way to enhance your child’s ball catching, and throwing skills:

Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set (3.)

 $39.99

This hopscotch fun rug is a timeless classic to strengthen your child’s legs, coordination, and balance while alternating between single or double limb jumping:

19 x 29 inch Primary Hopscotch Fun Rug (3.)

$19.99

5-7 years old                     

At these ages your child will enjoy complex tasks such as swimming, climbing, jumping rope, and other complex tasks. (1.)

This sports set is a fantastic way for your child to develop and strengthen a variety of hand eye skill, coordination, and balance:

Stats Multi Sport Set - Soccer, Hockey and Lacrosse(3.)

$29.99

This jump rope set is a great way to strengthen your child’s balance, coordination, and legs:

Stats Double Dutch Jump Rope (3.)

$7.99

References

1. Center for disease control and prevention. Developmental milestones( all ages).  http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html.  Accessed October 19, 2013.

2. Fisher Price. Infantino Vintage Twist and Fold Activity Gym, Bright Starts Tummy Cruiser Prop & Play Mat, Growing baby elephant shape sorter, Rockin’ Tunes Giraffe  , and Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Push N' Scoot. Fisher Price online store. http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=900000&e=storethumb&pcat=fps_babygear. Accessed October 19, 2013.

3. Toys R Us. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball, ,19 x 29 inch Primary Hopscotch Fun Rug, Stats Multi Sport Set - Soccer, Hockey and Lacrosse, and Stats Double Dutch Jump Rope. Toys R Us online store. http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jspcategoryId=10811247&view=all. Accessed October 19, 2013.