Fitting Toys in the Second
Year
Toddlers love toys with several parts that they can
fit together; toys that have separate parts - figures,
blocks, shape-sorters etc - fit into a car, box or boat
usually work well. A set of plastic donuts that fit
on a spindle is a traditional toy that is worth buying
at this age. These rings have other users - as teethers,
tossers, and small toys for fill-and-dump games. Since
your child will grow and learn rapidly in the first
3 years, toy choice should reflect his changing needs.
Ensure they are nontoxic and safe for use. Some pointers
to help you choose what is appropriate for your toddler:
• Toys that are simple are most versatile as they
have longer life and are better for imaginative play.
• Toys with different colors, textures, shapes
and noises will stimulate all five senses.
• Older babies enjoy games that involve building
so bricks of different sizes are appropriate.
• As your child's manipulative skills grow, he
will be able to manage interlocking blocks and more
advanced shape sorters.
• Toys that help build small motor skills; nesting
and stacking toys, simple wooden jigsaw puzzles with
knobs, boxes and containers for filling and emptying
• Toys that build large motor skills; balls of
all sizes, pull toys and push toys, riding toys, swings
• Toys that stimulate imagination; stuffed animals,
dolls, cars, trucks, kitchen ware (play ones), play
household items (telephones, cash registers)
• Toys that stimulate creativity: crayons and
paper, play clay
• Toys that introduce child to the music world:
drums, xylophones, simple key boards
