Toys Open the Door to Your Child’s Future

By Erin Kerner

It seems like only yesterday that our son was born, but he is quickly crawling his way towards nine months old.  It has been an incredible experience thus far. Our home has been turned into a maze of baby gates, and our cupboards have been secured, the sockets plugged, corners covered, cords detached, and everything in reach has been lifted up a couple feet or removed!  Of course, the aim of all this is to keep our little munchkin safe.  However, I can’t help but wonder if there comes a point where I am stifling his sense of adventure, hindering his desire to explore, obstructing his curiosity and impeding his learning opportunities. 

My husband and I feel it is our responsibility to create safe, positive learning opportunities for our son.  A simple stroll around the block provides the chance for his senses to be stimulated as he takes in nature’s colors, smells, and sounds.  He learns as he plays - if only I could have learned calculus this way!  I feel it is fundamental to his physical, mental, social and emotional development for him to be provided time to play, and in doing so learn about his world.  Toys are an important component of play and are invaluable in the healthy development of a child. However, it should be said that not all toys are created equal. 
So what should we look for when selecting toys for the children in our lives? Experts tell us there are four basic areas of development: physical, cognitive, language, and social.  The best types of toys for your child differ depending upon his or her age and skill set. 

For example, a six-month old learns about his or her surroundings through use of all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch). A rattle teaches both gross and fine motor skills as she learns to grasp it. Cognitively, when she discovers it makes a noise when shaken, she is learning problem-solving skills simultaneously. The cooing that follows this discovery is the beginning stage of language development. As this child gets older, she will learn to share this rattle with others, increasing her social skills. 

As a child grows and his or her skills become both more advanced and numerous, it is important for parents to continue to reinforce the basic skills.  Some examples include activities like the following: coloring with your one-year old to practice fine motor skills; using puppets to increase emotional development or practice manners with your three-year old; or playing coordination and memory games with your six-year old to increase cognitive development. 

Parents play a key role in the development of their children through either helping or hindering growth.  The relationship between parents and their children lays the foundation for the type of adult a child will become. Allowing our children to make decisions and learn from their successes or mistakes will allow for independent thinking and problem solving. So next time you play blocks with your child and the base is too thin, let the child continue building.  He will soon learn what happens and how to fix it.  Be supportive, follow the child’s lead, and be creative! 

Perhaps most importantly, remember that as parents we are the primary role models for our children at all times. As a famous poem says “…if a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.  If a child lives with tolerance he learns to be patient…”. In this hectic world in which we live, we need to make time to enjoy our children and provide learning opportunities. Play with her.  Laugh with him. Teach them. Watch as they explore and learn for themselves.  They grow up far too quickly.

Erin is a representative for BabyCrazy; a direct sales company providing unique and quality products for families with children from birth to preschool. Interested in hosting a party and earning FREE and Discounted products? Contact Erin by .