Toys are tools and equipment that entertain children, support their development and educate them. It contributes to the physical and mental development of the child by providing creativity, dreaming and learning concepts.
What should be considered when choosing toys?
- Age should be considered when choosing toys. It should be appropriate for age and development.
- It should be capable of developing the child's skills and creativity and supporting his imagination.
- It should be simple, easy to clean and durable.
- It should not contain small parts (eyes, nose, buttons, etc.) that can break off quickly and be swallowed, and plastic labels should be cut off and thrown away.
- Toys made of soft materials should be washable.
- It must not be made of sharp or hard corners, needles, metal particles or easily breakable plastic.
- It should be noted that the battery cover of battery operated toys is screwed and secure.
- Toys with strings, cords and ribbons should not be preferred due to the possibility of tangling around the child's neck.
- Toys that play music should be tried before buying, as loud toys can cause discomfort to children.
- Before the age of 3, toys made of soft fabric and plastic should be preferred.
How to choose toys according to age?
Newborns are more attracted to bright light and sound. For this reason, there should be colorful, moving, and sound toys hanging next to the bed.
As of the 2nd month, musical, colorful (main colors such as yellow and red) toys that can be used by hanging or rocking can be preferred for babies who make sounds with increased reaction and visual distance.
When your baby reaches 3 and 5 months, the most suitable toy for his/her is the rattle, and after the 4th month, his/her grip also increases.. Soft, noisy, musical toys can also be preferred. During this period, there should not be toys with hard or pointed corners, as they will take every toy to their mouth.
6 months
Your baby starts to sit up now, reaching out and trying to catch objects.
Begins to recognize objects using both hands. Toys with rotating parts increase the coordinated work of the hands.
Different diameter toys rattle with sound, and teethers are suitable during this period.
The toys must be washable and cleanable, as they constantly put them in their mouths.
Reading books with pictures of animals, plants, and people together contributes to his/her academic success in the future.
9 months
The time they spend with toys increases.
During this period, they enjoy sequential or double-acting toys such as hitting each other, pushing and pulling, nesting, opening, and closing.
Luminous, colored balls that do not break when thrown are suitable.
10-12 month
During this period, the mobility of babies increases, they change places by holding on or pulling themselves, and toys that will help them walk can be preferred.
12-18 months
Your baby begins to say a single word, trying to imitate what is spoken.
It is more related to household goods. Containers that will not harm children can be used as toys.
Swimming toys can be preferred as they like to play in the water.
Interlocking toys, balls, musical toys, and colorful rings attract their attention. Their interest in colors increases.
Imitation games, hide and seek, and language games improve social skills.
18-24 months
It can be difficult to stop children of this age group because this is the period when they start running.
Helps with simple household chores.
It is easier for children with an increased ability to imitate to learn to use a tool. Children of this age, whose fine motor muscles are better developed, can play with toys such as simple hand tools.
They can increase their creativity with crayons, play dough, and clay.
They can play with legos, 4-5 piece puzzles, and cubes, which they can produce shapes for around 2 years old.
Push-pull toys such as cars, trucks, wheelbarrows that they can move, dolls that move or talk, and animals attract their attention.
Begins to establish game communication with other children. They enjoy playing outdoors due to their tendency to act independently and explore.
It helps to increase both social and language development with picture story books, rhythm instruments, and puppet games.
2.5 years
Begins to form two-word sentences, can say his/her name, and can recognize colors.
Toys such as a toy phone and computer that make noise attract his/her attention and can help him learn words.
They like toys like a repair kit that they can tear apart and put together.
3 years old
Your baby can dress himself, ride a bike, and start to hold the pen well.
Your baby's social communication with his friends increases, and he starts sharing toys and playing games.
He enjoys using real-life items as toys by imitating adults. (carpenter's set, doctor's set, kitchen set, etc.)
Can make 6-12 piece puzzles. He can start creative activities during this period.
4 years old
Painting with paints, cutting and pasting using scissors. Activities with cardboard, string, and paints (finger paint, water, or pastel paint) take place during this period.
He likes to play in playgrounds and ride bikes.
Toys such as dolls, cleaning kits, doctor kits, and repair kits are suitable.
5 years old
They enjoy group games, outdoor games, and ball games.
Your child is interested in reading and writing.
Riddles, puzzles, and matching games attract their attention during this period.
They like to play with more realistic toys such as battery cars, floating ships, and baby carriages.
6 years and older
It is the school period now, they prefer group games more.
Educational books, science-experiment sets, and intelligence games attract their attention.
They can enjoy playing with cartoon characters.
They can play with musical instruments suitable for their age.
Here you can find toys suitable for children of different age groups to play with.
As a result, let's create environments where our children can play freely with toys where they can decorate their imaginations, express themselves, and improve their education, entertainment, and skills. And let's get involved in their games by providing playgrounds.