Tips for Selecting Developmental Toys for Infants

Developmental Toys for Infants

Selecting developmental toys for infants does not have to be stressful or difficult. However, with so many toys on the market today, it is important to realize that not all of them will be appropriate for your child. If this is an area where you could use some advice, check out the following tips for selecting developmental toys.

Overview of Developmental Stages

There are five different categories of developmental stages for infants:

  • Motor

  • Language

  • Vision & Hearing

  • Social

  • Cognitive

Some toys for infants help address one specific category while one toy may have been made with the intent to work on multiple developmental milestones.

Why Age Ranges on Toys Are So Broad

You may have noticed that many toys for infants are labeled with a broad age range. It is merely a guideline and is not set in stone. If your 5 month old seems ready for a toy geared at 6 to 9 month old babies, it will not hurt your child to go ahead and give it to them.

However, with this in mind, you should not completely ignore those age recommendations, either. You need to figure out if the toy will challenge your child without completely frustrating them. Kids develop at such varied rates, especially during the first few years, which is why toys have such wide age recommendations on them.

Know Your Child's Skill Level

In order to select the right toy for your infant, you need to know what skill level they are at. This is even more important if you have a child with special needs child or if they have been diagnosed with a developmental delay.

Once you determine what your child's skill level is, you should figure out what development areas are lacking. All babies have their strengths and weaknesses, just like us adults do. For example, if your 12 month old is trying to sound out words, then they are right on target developmentally. However, if they are not walking or at least making an attempt to, then you should consider buying a pull-up toy or something similar that will encourage your little one to make those first steps.

The Educational Factor

Believe it or not, but nearly every toy for infants is educational in some way. Even objects you have around the house that interest your little one will teach them something about the world and help with their development.

For example, a simple ball can teach your child how to grasp. As they get to be older infants, they will develop their motor skills further when they attempt to roll the ball themselves and catch it when it is rolled to them.

Choose Toys for Infants That Are Fun

The final and most important tip when selecting developmental toys for infants is to make sure it is something your child will enjoy playing with. There is no use in buying a toy that will promise to help meet your child's milestones if they have no interest in it.

Using the above tips, you can be confident when you are buying toys for your baby. If you have any doubt when selecting developmental toys for infants, ask your pediatrician for recommendations.

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23 thoughts on “Tips for Selecting Developmental Toys for Infants

  1. These are great tips and definitely ones I used for purchasing toys for both my kids when they were younger. One of my favorite ones, was a globe mobile that would sing in different languages to both my kids, play different music and tell you all about different countries. 

    1. The globe mobile sounds like a great toy! That’s neat that it sings in different languages and talks about the different countries!

  2. Those are brilliant tips! And definitely something to use when selecting toys. It is good to remember that the age is a recommendation. My boys were usually ready for older toys before they reached the age. Where my daughter, is not ready for a lot of toys that say they are good for her age. Each child is different and you have to take them on a case by case basis. 

  3. Great tips!!  It really is important to choose the proper toys and I always try to follow these tips when buying for my nieces and nephews 🙂

    1. Thanks, Brandi! It can be hard to decide which toys are right so hopefully these tips will help others!

  4. Such a great post and great tips to consider. There are so many things to consider when selecting developmental toys for infants. Bookmarking this!

  5. Great post!  So many people have no clue what to buy an infant!  My nephew is five months and loves his bright board books, so I picked up a few more for him for Christmas.  He has SO many toys, books are a nice quiet break for his mama! 🙂

    1. Whoever invented board books was a genius because the regular books get destroyed too easily!

    1. Yes it can, Mallery – hopefully this eases parents minds and helps them out!

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