As a physical therapist who has a heavy client base in pediatrics, I begin getting the question in November from many of my patients’ parents wondering what toy suggestions I have to encourage their child’s development. Parents and grandparents are looking for toys that will help facilitate their children hitting their developmental milestones. Because of this, I have put together a physical therapist endorsed Developmental Holiday Toy Guide.
****This post contains affiliate links. All information and opinions are completely my own and based upon personal experience.****
0-6 Months:
New babies are often the hardest to think of good toy purchases for. They spend much of their day eating, sleeping, and pooping. However, infants minds and bodies are growing and learning every single day. As a mom and a PT, I love the Kick and Play Activity Mat with piano to allow infants the opportunity for floor play. The mirror and cute animal rings encourage tracking and reaching. Infants love being able to reproduce sounds as they kick the piano keys. The Sassy Floor Mirror and Bright Starts Tummy Time Prop & Play are both great toys to have on hand to promote tummy time. Unfortunately, tummy time is not a fun time for a lot of infants. A soft, safety mirror can help make it a more enjoyable experience for your infant. Finally, O-Ball makes a great line of products that are perfect for little hands that are just learning to grasp such as the Oball Rollin’ Rainstick Rattle.
6-9 Months:
4 Pack Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Books,Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker Wooden Ring Educational Toy, The First Years Stack Up Cups
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Infants in the 6-9 month age range are beginning to explore the world around them. Typical development for this age range includes rolling, sitting up, and maybe even crawling. Finding activities to promote hand, eye coordination and entertain your little one in their new found skill of sitting is important for this age group. I love the VTech Sort and Discover Drum for its lid that is more difficult for an infant to remove, thus keeping the challenge of placing the shapes in through the holes. Simple stacking cups like The First Years Stack Up Cups and ring stacks such as Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker are perfect for both fine and gross motor coordination and challenging your baby in a seated position. Board books are also a wonderful gift idea, especially those with a Lift-a-flap component like these 4 Pack Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Books which aide in teaching object permanence.
9-12 Month:
The 9-12 month old age range gets those babies that are beginning to be on the move. Skills emerging in this time are pulling to stand, assisted walking, and more purposeful fine motor skills. For those infants that are beginning assisted walking, I love the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker. In my time with early intervention, I have seen just about every single variation of push toy out there. The reason I love this push toy the most is summed up in two words: locking wheels. The wheels on this one have two stages. Stage one slows the speed of the wheels for your beginners. Stage two allows for faster wheel motion as your child gets more stable. With my oldest daughter, there was no slow option, and I will never forget sitting it out for her. She excitedly took those first couple of steps behind it and promptly face planted on the wood floor as the speed of the push toy got away from her little legs.
Activity tables like the LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table are great for those little ones that are beginning to stand with support. These tables encourage standing and cruising while engaging the child in variety of switches, buttons, and activities on the table top. Pro tip: push one side of the toy up against a sturdy backdrop such as couch to prevent it from sliding across your floor as your baby leans on it.
In fine motor play, toys like ALEX Discover My Busy Town Wooden Activity Cube, Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Boppin’ Activity Bugs, and large peg puzzles such as Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle promote fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
As a parent myself, I try to be conscious of toys and get the most bang for my buck by purchasing toys that double as developmental tools. Check back as I add Holiday Guides for 12-36 months, 3-5, and 6+ age groups!
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