|
Toys of First Months
In her first months, before she learns to grasp objects or sit up, your baby will most appreciate things she can look at and listen to. Her vision will be fuzzy at first and she'll fix on things that are about eight to 14 inches from her eyes. High-contrast patterns and bright colors captivate her because they're the easiest for her to see. Objects that move slowly and produce a gentle sound are far more interesting to her than those that are fixed and silent. Hand-held toys Her nearsightedness makes her appreciate anything you can move into her line of sight. She won't be able to hold toys for a while, but she'll demonstrate her preferences by batting at the ones she likes. Tape player or music box Music is one of the best ways to entertain and soothe your infant. Play a variety of music - nothing too raucous - and see how she responds. Mobile A mobile can add a new dimension to a baby's horizontal view of life. Look for ones with high-contrast colors and patterns. Many babies are particularly fond of mobiles that play music. Attach the mobile to the crib rail. For safety's sake, keep the mobile out of your baby's reach. Unbreakable mirror Although they won't realize it's themselves they're seeing at this stage, babies find their own reflection fascinating and begun smiling at it. Soft books with high-contrast patterns Soft books with easy-to-see patterns or decorations are designed just for babies. Lie down next to her so she can watch you turn the pages as you read aloud to her - even at this age it pays off. Sensory toys A soft toy that trills or tweets when pressed will please a baby for months to come. The accidental squeaks will also help her become aware of what her hand is doing. Sock and wrist rattles Attach a soft rattle to your baby's wrist or ankle, or warm her feet with socks that have built-in rattles to provide long moments of entertainment as she experiments with new sounds she can make herself. Wind chimes Babies love soft music, so hang a set of these in a place where she can watch it move and listen to the sound. If the chime is over her crib, your baby may fall into the habit of watching it for a few minutes before drifting to sleep. Safe and Fun Objects to Play With Cuddly - a newborn may be reassured by a soft piece of cloth, such as muslin square. Tuck it inside your shirt before giving it to your baby, so it smells of you. Baby gym - an activity arch with toys hanging from the bars. It may also have lights and sounds to encourage your baby to reach out and bat at the toys. Play mat - features may include activities, such as lift-the-flap, different textures to feel, a squeaky button and lots of bright images for your baby to look at. Lights and sounds - your baby will enjoy the twinkling lights and quiet melodies that are activated by pressing or squeezing a toy. Wrist rattle - attached to your baby's wrist like a bracelet, it will jingle as your baby moves his hands. Feely toy - your baby will enjoy toys he can press, stroke and crinkle, as well as those with different textured surfaces. Pram beads - a row of plastic or soft toys strung on elastic, which you hook across your baby's pushchair or pram, will keep him entertained. Cot books - these have brightly coloured or strongly contrasting images, and special fastenings so you can tie them to the side of your baby's cot.
Consider these guidelines when choosing toys for your child and share them with anyone who may be buying gifts for your child. * Is it suited to your child's developmental level? Most toys bear a "recommended age" sticker, which should be taken as a starting point in the selection process. Be realistic about your child's abilities and level of maturity when choosing an age-appropriate toy. • Think big. Toy parts should be bigger than the child's mouth up to age 3 to avoid the chance of choking. To determine if a toy could potentially cause choking, try fitting it through a toilet paper roll. If a toy or part of a toy can fit inside this cylinder, then it's not safe. • Is the toy too heavy? Could your baby be harmed if it fell on him? If so, pass. • Look for toys that are well put together. Make sure tails are securely sewn, seams of stuffed animals are reinforced, and paint is not peeling. Stuffed animals should also be free of buttons, yarn, ribbons, and anything else your child could yank off and put in his mouth. • Is your child physically ready for this toy? • Is the toy in good condition? Used toys passed down from older relatives or siblings or bought at yard sales can be worn or frayed, which can be sometimes be harmful. Examine all new or used toys for buttons, batteries, ribbons, eyes, beads, or plastic appendages that could easily be chewed or snapped off. • Is there a string or cord on the toy longer than 12 inches? A cord can too easily be wrapped around a young child's neck, causing strangulation. Once your child can climb up on his hands and knees, remove crib gyms and hanging mobiles from his crib. Be particularly vigilant about older toys.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
