What toys to choose for a child in their first year of life? A guide for parents

The first year of a child's life is a time of intense physical, cognitive and emotional development. A child discovers the world through touch, sounds, movement and interaction with the environment. Choosing the right toys for children during this period is crucial, as it affects their motor skills, coordination and social skills. In this article, we will present the best toys for a one-year-old child, toys for a 6-month-old child and wooden toys for children that support toddler development.

Toys for babies 0-3 months - first sensory stimuli

Newborns mainly observe the world, react to sounds and learn to recognize faces. It is worth choosing toys that stimulate their sight, hearing and touch.

✔ Contrasting books – black and white patterns help develop eyesight.
✔ Plush rattles – light and easy to hold, they teach gripping.
✔ Educational mats – develop the senses and encourage lying on the tummy.
✔ Pendants with sounds – music boxes and carousels above the bed soothe and stimulate hearing.

Toys for 3-6 month old baby - motor development

At this stage, the baby begins to reach for objects, lifts its head and learns to turn. Toys for a 6-month-old baby should support the development of hand-eye coordination and the ability to grasp.

✔ Soft teethers – help with teething and develop oral motor skills.
✔ Sensory balls – stimulate touch and motor coordination.
✔ Mirrors – help your baby recognize faces and trigger reactions.
✔ Wooden toys for children – safe, ecological and durable, e.g. rattles or puzzles.
✔ Interactive toys – emitting sounds and light, teaching cause-and-effect thinking.

Toys for 6-9 month old baby - exploring the environment

During this period, the baby begins to crawl, sit up, and explore the environment. Toys should motivate movement and engage the senses.

✔ Blocks of different shapes – teach matching and develop spatial imagination.
✔ Shape sorters – help to learn logical thinking.
✔ Toys with moving elements – teach precise hand movements.
✔ Plush books with different textures – develop cognitive skills.
✔ Interactive toys – help learn first words.

Toys for 9-12 month old baby – developing independence

During this period, children begin to take their first steps and communicate with their surroundings. It is worth choosing educational toys for a one-year-old child that engage and teach through play. ✔ Pushers and ride-ons – support learning to walk and balance.
✔ Musical instruments – drums, maracas and cymbals develop a sense of rhythm.
✔ Puzzles – develop logical thinking and hand-eye coordination.
✔ Dolls and stuffed animals – help develop emotions and first social relationships.
✔ Interactive toys – talking mascots or books teaching basic words.

Wooden toys for children – why are they worth it?

Wooden toys are durable, safe and environmentally friendly. They are a great alternative to plastic products because they stimulate the child's manual development and imagination. ✔ Wooden blocks - help build and practice manual skills.
✔ Wooden puzzles – teach shape matching and develop patience.
✔ Wooden vehicles – support creative play and develop motor skills.
✔ Wooden instruments – stimulate the sense of hearing and rhythm.

How to choose toys appropriate for a child's age?

✔ 0-3 months – contrast toys, rattles, play mats.
✔ 3-6 months – sensory toys, teethers, textured balls.
✔ 6-9 months – sorters, books with textures, interactive toys.
✔ 9-12 months – pushers, puzzles, blocks, dolls.

Summary

The first year of a child's life is a time of intensive development, so it is worth choosing toys that support learning motor skills, coordination and logical thinking. Toys for a one-year-old child, toys for a 6-month-old child and educational toys for a one-year-old child should engage the toddler and help him or her learn about the world in a safe and creative way. Wooden toys for children are an excellent investment in the development of a toddler, because they are durable, ecological and help develop manual skills. By choosing the right toys, we can provide the child with valuable and developing play every day.