Child Development Toys

Parents interested in encouraging the positive development of their child’s cognitive, physical, or social skills can make sure their child has access to child development toys that not only provides a child with entertainment but also encourages their healthy development.

Child development toys play an important role in a child’s learning process. When children play with toys they not only interact with one another and develop social skills, they also make choices, solve problems and apply some control over their environment.

Child development toys that encourage cognitive development include puzzles and memory games. Matching games, sequencing games and number games are excellent toys that encourage a child to develop number sense and numeration as well as their sequencing skills.

Child toys that encourage scientific thought include water and sand play toys that involve measuring, sifting and pouring of different sensory material.

Child toys that encourage large muscle development include bicycles, climbers, slides, large balls and planks. Child toys that encourage small muscle development (which is important in developing those small muscles in the hands that enable a child to hold writing tools) include puzzles small blocks, connecting toys, and even markers and crayons.

Dramatic play toys such as dolls, doll furniture, doll clothing, dress up clothing and kitchenware are excellent child toys that encourage a high level of imaginary play.

Keep in mind, when choosing child toys, to choose open-ended toys, such as play dough, blocks and paint. The play opportunities with these open-ended toys are limited only to a child’s imagination.

It is also important to match the child toys with the child’s developmental age (which might be higher or lower than their physical age.) Take into account the child’s skill and growth level when choosing child toys, because a toy that is too difficult will cause frustration. (For example; a child development toy requiring a child to string beads is terrific if the child has developed some eye-hand coordination. But if the child has no eye-hand coordination this toy will only aggravate, discourage and disappoint the child.)

A child development toy that is developmentally appropriate can help build a child’s self –esteem and allow the child to build a positive self concept. (The first time your child rides her bike without any assistance from you she will feels a sense of control and an “I can do it!” attitude.)

You will want to keep safety in mind when choosing child toys. If the toy is for a young child, make sure there are no removable parts which a child could swallow, choke on, or stick in their ears. Make sure the toy is easy to clean, so that you can cut down on germs, and also make sure the toys do not have any sharp or jagged edge.

Get in the habit of checking your child’s toys regularly to ensure that there are no broken pieces, and be especially careful of electrical toys, because poor wiring may cause damage.

Selecting high quality child toys can allow your child the best opportunities to develop their learning and their social skills.