Toys That Develop Children's Skills: Guide for Ages 6-18 Months
When it comes to children's growth and development, toys are not only a source of amusement, but also an essential tool for learning and development. Choosing the right toys for different stages of childhood can stimulate children's skills in diverse and fascinating ways. In this article, we'll explore how to select the right toys for ages 6-18 months to encourage optimal toddler development.
6 to 9 Months: Sensory Exploration and Gross Motor Skills
At the age of 6-9 months, babies begin to explore the world around them more intensively. This is the time when they start to stand up and use their hands to play with different objects.
Stimulating Sensory Activities Toys with different textures that make noises or light up are great for sensory stimulation. Soft cubes with different textures and bright colors are perfect for stimulating sight and touch. Moreover, crib hangers become interesting for this age group as they begin to have the ability to grasp and explore them.
Encouraging Gross Motor Skills For gross motor development, opt for toys that encourage them to move. Crawling toys or ball-filled rollers can get little ones to crawl after them, thereby strengthening the muscles needed for later stages of development, such as sitting unsupported or walking.
From 9 to 12 Months: Coordination and Learning by Imitation
At this stage, children become more coordinated and begin to imitate the actions of those around them. So we can introduce toys to stimulate these growing skills.
Role Toys and Coordination Dolls, stuffed animals, and even action figures can be inspiring choices for this age. Little ones can use them to imitate actions and practice speaking by associating words with the respective objects. Also, toys that involve putting pieces into matching shapes, such as shape sorting boxes, are perfect for developing hand-eye coordination and logical thinking.
12 to 18 Months: Completion of Fine Motor Skills and Beginning of Symbolic Play
It is the period when fine motor skills are refined and children begin to participate in more complex games, such as symbolic games.
Toys for the Development of Fine Motor Skills Small building blocks, toys with buttons, levers or other items that can be manipulated with the fingers are ideal for this stage. This type of toy allows them to practice their dexterity and coordination as well as understand the concept of cause and effect.
Facilitating Symbolic Play To encourage symbolic play, select toys that mimic real-life objects and situations. Kitchen sets, toy telephones or push cars are some examples of toys that can involve them in imitation activities and understanding the adult world.
Conclusion
Selecting the right toys for your child's development is an essential aspect to which you must pay attention. By choosing the right toys for each stage of development, you will make a significant contribution to your little one's progress. However, it is important to remember that every child is unique and will have their own pace of development. Monitor their activities and offer support and encouragement as they explore the world of toys. For a wide range of toys that develop children's skills, we invite you to visit our special section of the store or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and offers.
