Parents of young babies often ask me what types of toys should they offer their child that will enhance learning in their child at the beginning of life, birth-18months of age. Of course I have lots of suggestions, but I also remind them that the parent’s most essential tools are always close at hand, the right toys and their own interaction.

Research shows us that play and playing with a child is the essential ingredient in the child’s cognitive development. Through play a child learns about the world around then and develops the cognitive skills that lead to language acquisition and social interaction skills.

Along with the toys, a parent’s or caregiver’s most important tool is their voice. Playing with your child and using your voice; varying your pitch, selecting word patterns, adding rhythm while interacting with your child and the chosen toy adds the “magic” to play.

What toys should parents use to enhance learning, language and social skills in the early months of their child’s life?

Infants are encountering everything for the first time and benefit by using their senses (touch, smell, taste, hearing, seeing) as their world is narrated, identified and describe by the adults in their life. A rattle  makes noise when it is shaken, is smooth to touch and is all-natural, stimulating all the child’s senses. Lying you baby on their back on a baby mat playing with a baby gym gives the child a sensory experience of kicking and grabbing while you can talk about what they are doing.

Infants are now able to sit either supported or unsupported enabling them to grab items and begin stacking rings and snap beads giving the child sensory input while enhancing their cognitive ability of figuring out how the rings go on the peg or how the beads attach and separate.

Your child now has his/her favorite toys and are moving and pushing items on and off. Children at this age love listening to and playing with musical toys. Playing with the farmyard cube presents your child with sounds to listen to that pair with the animal, pairing what they see with what they hear while playing. Musical instruments bring making music and creating rhythm to play, inviting your child to shake, rattle and roll!

By your child’s first birthday, he/ she is becoming more upright (standing, cruising, walking) and at the same time first words are produced. At this age they love to stack blocks, roll, kick and throw ball. Kids just want to have fun and it is hard to keep up with them as they explore and learn through play.

Playing together with toys  that enhance learning in children birth-18 months of age will enhance attachment, joy and love. Grow together and have fun!