It’s not necessary to choose the biggest or most expensive baby toys in order to encourage a child’s imagination and learning, though. In fact, updated versions of classic baby toys like building blocks and toy telephones are available today that offer the same inspiration for pretend play as the old standards, and even add a few new, fun features along the way.
Play Time is Learning Time
Experts agree that playtime has a unique way of helping children learn new developmental and social skills. According to Tammy Benson, Ed.D., assistant professor of child development at University of Central Arkansas, imaginary play offers young children not just a good time, but also vast opportunities to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them. Through imaginary play, children can learn to assert themselves in ways that prepare them for their real-life roles as adults. The Association for Childhood Education International even goes so far as to say that no adult instruction can take the place of a child’s own activities and experiences through continual play, and that play is a natural behavior that is directly related to a child’s development.
So, which of the many toys on the retail shelf will encourage your baby and young child to engage in imaginary and skill-building play? Here are my top picks for a fun-filled playroom for the older baby or toddler (ages 1 to 3) with classic, inexpensive toys that are sure to spark your child’s imagination and teach developmental and social skills. For each suggestion, I’ll provide one or more examples of commonly available toys that would fill the niche.
Note: Some of these toys may be more appropriate for toddlers and could contain small parts that are unsuitable for babies. Please evaluate any toy choices carefully and remove small parts if your child is likely to put them in his/her mouth.
Dolls or Stuffed Animals
This is an easy one, because I don’t know many parents who have to try very hard to come up with a collection of stuffed animals for their child. They seem to multiply overnight in my house. Dolls and stuffed animals offer young children a chance to practice their people skills and model behaviors that they see in other people. For example, a one-year-old might practice rocking the stuffed animal or feeding it (with pretend food, you hope). An older toddler might practice routines and reinforce house rules by repeatedly putting the doll to bed or telling the doll not to run into the street.
Giggling Chou-Chou Doll by Zapf
Toy Phone
It’s never too early to start practicing good phone skills! Providing a child with a toy phone gives them a chance to model the discussions they hear around them, which helps develop their speech and social skills. Older babies and toddlers will enjoy “calling” people to practice their expanding vocabulary. While they imagine calling grandma, they’re also reinforcing the phone-appropriate words they have learned from listening to you. From my daughter, I’ve learned that I do say “I love you” a lot, but I also must say “uh-huh” quite a bit, so maybe you’ll learn about your own phone skills, too. Toy phones are available in all shapes and sizes these days, some with lights and sounds and other fun features. If you’re on a budget, an old wall phone or cell phone will do the trick. Remove the long cords if you use a real phone, though, as they can easily get wrapped around a child’s neck.
Laugh & Learn Phone by Fisher-Price
Playhouse or Tent
A small play structure that a child can get inside offers unlimited options for imagination play. From a bear cave to playing house, this is a toy that will be used by children from babyhood through school age. Even babies in the crawling stage can enjoy a game of peekaboo from inside their playhouse. Inexpensive collapsible tents are a good choice if you’re limited on space. They fold flat and can easily be stashed in a closet or under a bed. My husband likes the tents, too, because when he’s invited (or demanded) inside by our daughter, he can just lift the whole tent up and drop it back on top of himself rather than crawling through the child-sized door.
Twist ‘N Fold Bus by PlayHut
