How to choose toys for children of different abilities and ages
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When a child |
What toys will a child like |
Why does a child need such toys |
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Can walk independently |
Toys which a child can straddle and ride, push and pull, swinging toys, big balls, a trolley or a barrow |
For leg strengthening, balance improvement, for discovering the thrill that speed and movement give |
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Stops putting things into the mouth |
Sand, water, plasticine, paint applied with hands, crayons |
Encourages discovery and getting to know and enjoy the feel, colour, shape. Helps to express ideas |
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Is able to hold small things, pass them from one hand to the other |
Simple puzzles, objects of different forms, cubes for construction, plates with pins, toys which can be placed one into another, big wooden beads and strings |
Encourages a child to think and solve problems, helps to learn about colours and shapes, develops coordination of the child’s hands |
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Starts to imitate you by doing the same as you are doing |
Hats and ordinary things, which can be used for changing your appearance, real and imaginary household items, dolls and soft toy animals, toy cars, doll houses, books about people |
Helps to develop a child’s imagination, creativity and social skills |
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Enjoys acting the role of another person |
Dolls and doll houses, trains or cars, domestic animals, empty boxes and bags, kitchen utensils, clothes which could be used for changing appearance, housewares, dolls, books about people, emotions |
Develops a child’s imagination, creativity, helps to develop construction skills, helps him to know how to take care of his things |
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With no special effort plays with a sit-on or riding toys; leg muscles are developed enough |
A bike with pedals, any other vehicle , a swing made from a tyre, a throwing ring, a soft pillow for sitting on the ground, a skipping-rope |
Develops balance, coordination |
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Recognizes shapes and colours, can hold a brush or a crayon |
More complicated puzzles, small objects for sorting, memory developing games and story books, implements for painting, implements for drawing, implements for cutting and pasting, construction cubes, beads, sponge pieces, pebbles, sticks, feathers, pieces of wood |
Develops finger, wrist, hand movement and skills. Encourages creativity and imagination, teaches concentration. Develops child’s memory and encourages the process of thinking, teaches relaxation |
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Remembers familiar songs and poems |
Musical instruments, whistles, jingles, a CD player, records of poetry stories and music |
Develops a sense of rhythm, helps to realize the variety of sounds, musical styles, songs |
