Why include “Toys I Like” on a website that has to do with breakthrough? As a mom, I am fascinated by the role of “play” and “fun” in a child’s development, such as:
(1) emotionally (“fun” teaches, infuses, and solidifies joy in discovering what life has to offer…even if it’s “educational,” but really, babies coming into the world everything is learning so everything they are exposed to has an educational component to it — “fun” colors the experience of learning as a positive, good, desirable thing) ,
(2) socially (think ideas or preparation for playdates? preschool and elementary school recess activities?),
(3) physically (dexterity? strength? reasons to be outdoors?), and
(4) mentally (exposure to new things is learning; getting excited enough about something to engage and focus for an extended period of time, or to repeat an activity until a new challenge is mastered or an old one is improved upon or elaborated…)
Since my early mom years took me away from other vocational pursuits for a season (up here in Canada, all working parents are entitled to a one year parental leave!), toys in the role of early child development (and in the context of overall human development) are what captivated much of my intellectual interest and curiosity, and energy invested into their investigation, trial & error, etc.
I’m no expert by any means, and the world of baby gadgets and toys is so constantly evolving that what I loved a few years ago (even last year) may be unavailable or outdated or look different on the market today, but I will use this platform to share the items that pop up in my mind as “good to share” items as examples of what I like and consider worth considering…
PUZZLES!
I love this 500 piece Colorful Doors Puzzle because I can work on it as a “larger puzzle” with my kids, leading them through organizing all the pieces, building the border, and then working on the sections door-by-door. The 48-piece Ballerina Puzzle (it’s a larger floor puzzle) was one of my girls’ (and my own) absolute favorites! Same concept, when I wanted them to work up to 48 pieces, I had them work on one ballerina at a time, and then put them together in order. They had fun coming up with names for the different girls, and negotiating who got to work on putting together which girls.
These first 3 Chunky Wooden Puzzles were my favorite for the baby and young toddler phase, because they double as early learning puzzles (matching the shape and putting the pieces where they belong), teaching tools (you can introduce them to the names of the animals, dinosaurs, vehicles, tools etc.), as well as play figurines (my boy LOVED and still loves playing with the dinosaurs). Because they’re “chunky,” it’s possible to make some of them stand up. If you’ve got kids who grow up enjoying playing restaurant, these may get served up later as “cookies” as well!
Below are other baby/toddler-friendly wooden puzzles to teach the basics: ABCS, Numbers, and Shapes. While I never personally owned the Clock Puzzle (I have too many on my shelf…), I think it would be a great option in lieu of other number, shapes and color puzzles, because it can teach all 3 concepts, on top of teaching how to read a clock — pretty clever =)! Or it could be a “next step up” because it has more numbers and more shapes and colors than the simpler puzzles. I have learned that while I used to think more was always better when it came to toys (more pieces = getting more for your $?), I have found that more pieces ends up meaning longer clean-up time, so…think about what you would most like to be “teaching” your child through your precious playtime together, and then purchase a good quality item that won’t break down so easily through lots of baby/toddler playtime.
LEGO FRIENDS (and other lego set…): I LOVE how adorable and creative Lego Sets have become these days, and how they are like a 3-D puzzle activity, as well as a “play set” for imaginative play — here are a few of my girls’ favorite sets…
OTHER Misc. Favorite Toys:
Outdoor play: I really like the Sand Table in the first photo, because it’s sturdy, with a lid, and one simple large, deeper-ish space (for a Sand Table), and I appreciate that it’s a “table” the kids can play with standing up. The Sand Table could easily double as a water table — only thing missing is a drain at the bottom (which is found in most water tables), but it’s often easiest to just tilt and then flip to drain out water. The Water Table in the middle is most similar to my kids’ current beloved water table, for its ample water and fun playset. The smaller round water table looks like it would be just as much fun for pretend play, plus I can see young kids loving to pour water into that big bucket!
