As your baby grows, your interaction with your baby also changes. The toys will also need to change from the baby toys to ones that move and stimulate their inquisitive minds. It is possible to buy a toy that will grow with them. As their mental ability develops they will understand more of the toy. Here are some examples that can give you some idea of what I mean.
For example take the wooden steam train sold by www.GreenOwlToys.co.uk. The cargo on its wagon is separate to the wagon. Inside is a bell and ball which is perfect as a rattle. This is great for 6 month baby to hold and manipulate. It also provides stimulation to sound and movement. As the baby grows you can introduce the train. By 18 months your child will be able to say “choo-choo
” and have endless fun pushing/pulling this gorgeous Wooden train around. Plus it has an interesting way of moving. Have a look at this video: Wooden Steam Train in motion.
Another type of growing toy is the window stacker, sold by the same company, has a starting point between 18 months to 2 years. First of all its a stacker. This type of toy develops the childs hand-eye coordination. Then it aids in language: saying and recognising colours. All the while it is a great alternative to the standard building blocks.
26 months, toddlers develop mentally with such speed that sometimes we get lost on how to continue to stimulate them. I think what we need to keep in mind not to panic and that repetition for them is very important. It is good to start with songs and nursery rhymes.
2. Possibly ask what your child thinks. Why do you they think it happens or looks like that. For example, “why do fish have fins?”. The answer may not be 100% correct but encourage their opinions and maybe suggest what you may think but never say they are incorrect. For example if they say “its where they have extra bones”, you could answer “well yes, fins can be hard but when they move the fins it helps them move in the water”.
