Toy Head
Toy Head How do you stop an infant from knocking himself in the head with toys? my almost 5 mo. old son fiercely shakes all his toys around and hits himself in the head and face, then cries. Yes ...
Toy Head
Toys That Stimulate Infants
While infants have not fully developed their vision or movement skills, you can still stimulate their senses. Hand held toys as well as toys that are set up to play while the baby is lying horizontally and others that include lights and sounds are the best items to stimulate infants.
A mobile or an activity bar that hangs over the baby while he is in his crib is a good toy to stimulate his senses. Whether these items have bright flashing lights or are just brightly colored, your baby will enjoy staring at these toys for hours. Soft sounds or music may also help to soothe the baby to sleep at naptime and at night.
Another type of mobile projects a moving scene across the ceiling as it plays soothing music to lull the baby to sleep. As the baby grows, many of these mobiles can be converted to use on top of a dresser.
There are also some activity toys that attach to the side of the crib. These may include brightly colored blocks or a lit scene that repeatedly goes by as music plays, such as aquarium scene. Being at eye level, these toys may hold the baby's attention longer than ones hanging above his head.
Play mats and gyms that rest above your baby's head while he is lying on the floor are also toys that he will enjoy. Some of these have rings attached to them that he can chew and lights that flash as music plays. The items on the activity gym are usually adjustable and allow you to remove some items to replace them with some of your own if you would like. Mirrors and bells that can be moved by the baby's hands and feet will also improve his motor coordination.
Toys made of soft material that your baby can grasp will also entertain him. These can be cloth books, bright colored blocks made out of soft material, and blankets with raised animals or other objects on them. Stuffed animals are also a necessity for infants.
Plastic keys are a favorite toy for small infants. Most keys come on a ring and are brightly colored. The baby will hold and shake these keys for extended periods of time. This item can also help with teething as your baby will chew on these as his teeth begin to come through.
Baby rattles and the noise that they make when your baby shakes them is a good toy that the baby can use to associate his movements and noise. Once the baby figures out that he can do it, he will enjoy the noise that he is making and shake that rattle continuously.
Electronic toys are also popular items for infants. Animals that sing and dance will cause you child to squeal with delight, and musical instruments that the baby can play himself by kicking his feet can also help the infant to associate his own movement with making sound and encourage him to do it.
By far, the best learning tool that your child can play with is you. Babies learn more from the people around them than from any toy. So play with your child as he discovers these new toys. You are the best stimulant that your baby has
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