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What toys suit the 0-12 months age group?

Certain toys are more suitable for toddlers than for children who are beginning to run all over the house.

For many years now, toys designed by psychologists and educationalists have been the subject of rigorous studies and submitted to tests with children to check their relevance, their various functions, their adaptation to the age and the physical and mental development of children and the enjoyment they get from playing with them.

The main categories of toys:
. Toys for young infants (0-15 months) or sensorimotor toys (that develop the sensory and motor capacities)
. Toys for early learning and understanding (building games, scientific games and educational games)
. Toys to awaken the personality (affective and imitative toys)
. Creative toys
. Sports-oriented toys
. Board games
Ideally, your child would have toys in each category.

From birth to six months:
During the first few months of his life, the basic elements of his future competences fall into place and all toys that help to develop his sensory capacities (sight, hearing, touch) and his emotional needs should take precedence

. cuddly toys (30 cm maximum and light)
. rattles (brightly coloured, easy to hold and producing sounds)
. early learning mats: these must offer several activities, including a mirror, polyhedrons, fabrics that are different to the touch.
. mobiles enable him to discover shapes and colours and movement.
. music box toys and the first lullabies
. lamps that project images on the ceiling
. swings equipped with various elements that he will try to catch.

From six to twelve months:
Your child is more autonomous, he sits up, crawls on his hands and knees and picks up objects easily. Still unable to walk, when playing he mainly uses his hands, which are becoming more and more dexterous. This is the period during which new toys appear:
the activity table with a mirror, a dial to turn, a piece of string to pull, and an element to push. All these movements help to develop the dexterity of his little fingers.

. the ball he pushes along or the rolling toys will stimulate his motor skills.
. bath toys as soon as he is able to sit up properly in the bath
. the first cloth or cardboard books
. and all toys that encourage prehension

From age 1 year onwards:
Your child stands up and begins to walk. Motor games will now assume a place of greater importance

. ride-ons
. toys to be pushed and pulled
. ball games
. the very first building games
. geometric toys
. musical instruments (drum, xylophone, piano, etc.)
. an abacus

Comments collected on the forums.

Christine Montero
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