A new baby’s brain consists of a number of neurological paths between billions of brain cells. These neurological paths are not completely structured and linked; therefore, they are unable to connect a reaction to an action. So, as a simple example, when payday loans that results in a sound, the connection is obvious to you and me, but your baby needs to form connections and pathways between numerous brain cells before this is obvious to them.
Giving your new baby the right toys at the right time can help to aid their development. Scientists have shown that a child’s experiences in the first few years of life can affect these brain pathways. Experiences that have effect include things seen, heard, touched and felt.
Educational and developmental toys are designed to aid this process and aid your child’s development.
So what should your baby be playing with and when?
0-6 Months
Visuals – For the first few months, your baby will have limited vision. They’ll only see about 10 inches or so in front of them and vision will be blurry. The best bet to help with the initial stages of development is to choose bright contrasting colours such as black and white or yellow and blue.
Sound – Babies tend to be very reactive to music from a very young age. Try them out with different types of music from classical to pop to stimulate the senses.
Recognition – Your baby will recognise your face quite a long time before they recognise their own. They will, however, like looking at their own reflection in the mirror. Attach a baby mirror to your baby’s cot or give them a toy with mirror incorporated into it, your baby will love looking in the mirror.
Hand-eye coordination – After about 3 months of age, your baby will start to discover their hands. They will learn how to grasp things and reach for objects they want to look at. Noisy, squeaky or rattle toys are good for helping them to understand that their actions have a direct effect on things.
6-12 Months
Language & Observation – Books and stories will start to come to life a bit more for your baby at this age, they will start to like and dislike different parts of stories and will distinguish between different pictures and textures.
Movement – A baby walker that’s sturdy and secure will help your baby to experience being on their feet as opposed to their bottom. Whilst they’re unlikely to start to walk for a little while, this is a good time and place to start practising.
1-2 Years
Movement – Your baby will start to walk fairly soon, they will need some help to balance at first by holding onto something such as the sofa, or your hand. Push and pull toys are very good to help develop walking skills once your baby is steady enough on their feet.
Coordination – Coordination and balance will increase quite quickly now. As well as different toys to aid walking, a sturdy ride-on toy offers other balance and coordination challenges for your baby / child.

