Baby learning toys:

Babies go through different phases quite quickly, so it is a good idea to be ready to offer a toy which will satisfy and challenge your baby as she progresses.

Newborns use their eyes more than anything else. Their parent's faces are the best toys of all to offer them. Mum smiling, Dad making faces, or big sister sticking out her tongue, all of this is fascinating to a baby. In a very short while he will respond with his first smile!

She will love to gaze at colourful objects near her (Black and white stand out best to a very new baby's eyes). Mobiles and play gyms come into their own at this stage.

Very soon you will notice your baby is able to hold things. At first clumsily, then with increasing skill. This is the perfect time for that rattle! But don't limit the learning to your baby's hearing - give him things to hold with different textures, soft, rubbery, furry etc.

Babies love to explore all of their senses, and when they discover they can make sounds by banging things together, they can be kept amused for hours! There are plenty of toys which allow them to explore sounds, but the good old fashioned wooden spoon and upturned saucepan is just as satisfactory.

Later, when your baby is learning to walk, there are other toys to stimulate her, such as baby walkers and pull or push along toys.

Many people complain that their child prefers the box, or the wrapping paper, to the present inside! Consider what it is your baby likes to do. Many highly expensive toys are meaningless to a baby, as they are unfamiliar. Toys which remind them of household objects they have seen, or observed you using, will have greater meaning for them. Many babies and toddlers will have endless pleasure in putting lots of objects or toys into a box, then tipping them out and starting all over again.

Watch your baby and you will soon see what he enjoys. You will then be able to offer toys, or household objects to satisfy him.

Always make sure the objects are safe, with no sharp edges, and are clean. Supervise your baby's play, and join in when you can, as you are the best baby learning toy you can offer her!

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