Kids love toys.  If you have any doubts about that, just take a child into a toy store.  She will probably find a number of things that she feels she just can’t live without.

Toys are more than just fun and games for kids.  Most toys provide at least some opportunity for children to learn. The best toys engage a child’s senses, spark their imaginations and encourage them to interact with others.

Babies and Toys   Babies are eager to learn about the world around them, and they have much to learn.  Every new shape, color, texture, taste and sound is a learning experience for them.  Giving your baby toys that are safe and stimulating will help him discover his senses.   Rattles and toys that make music are favorites of infants.  Toys with contrasting colors are fascinating to babies and stimulate their developing vision.  As they grow, infants can use toys to explore object permanence and cause and effect relationships.  They also need objects such as blocks to help them build motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Toys for Toddlers   Toddlers can play with a wider variety of toys than they did when they were smaller.  They might still enjoy some of the toys they played with as babies, and that’s fine.  The same blocks they played with a year or two ago can provide them with new and different educational opportunities as their knowledge expands.  But they also need toys that are designed with kids their age in mind.   Shape sorters are great for toddlers.  They teach them how to match similar items and provide parents the opportunity to teach them the names of the shapes.  Lego blocks provide an opportunity to learn more about colors and symmetry while they develop their motor skills.

Toys for Preschool and School-Aged Children  When children reach preschool age, it’s time to start learning about letters, numbers and language skills.  There are lots of toys that encourage this type of learning, from simple alphabet puzzles to high-tech electronic gadgets. These can give your child a head start by introducing her to the things she will be learning in school. Kids who are in school can supplement their learning with fun and educational toys.  Giving them the opportunity to have fun while practicing the things they are learning in school will increase their retention of those things.  And when your child finds an educational toy she really likes, she will be more likely to play with it, reinforcing the things she has learned.

Children can learn a lot from playing.  When you give your child educational toys and play with them with her, it gives her a chance to bond with you, learn, and have fun at the same time.  And making education enjoyable will help your child retain the things she learns and develop a positive attitude toward learning.