Educational toys from 0: why are they important for the full development of the baby

Modern adults have no shortage of toys to choose from. The shelves of specialized stores and shopping centers are bursting with an abundance of boxes, cute plush faces, mysterious metal/plastic/wooden constructions. Children's sites are full of endless colorful photos - just have time to turn on your imagination! The variety is great, any tastes and preferences can be satisfied. But if future parents have at least a little information about the development and needs of the baby, then close people invited to visit often have no idea what to give a child under one year old. What toy to buy so that it does not lie around unnecessarily, develops the baby's abilities, and is liked by the whole family?

I am learning about the world: smart toys from birth to three months

With a newborn, there is a lot of trouble. By the time the parents get into the groove, breastfeeding is established, and the daily routine is streamlined, a couple of months will pass. But it is worth thinking about developmental methods in advance. Although the baby still seems so small, he is already learning to manipulate, actively use his mother to achieve his goals, and is interested in what is happening around him.

In the first three months, parents are happy to note how quickly the baby is growing, how quickly he begins to understand the world around him, to navigate in it. Growing up, the child learns to compare and find similarities between phenomena from different areas of perception, receives information from everything he sees, hears, touches, improves his auditory, visual apparatus, tactile sensitivity, and gross and fine motor skills. Ordinary objects for him are a research tool, a source of obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills.

It is not necessary to spend money on an expensive brand, an advertised option. A wooden spoon, a ring, a regular ball, a bag of cereal, or strong beads can be used as an educational toy.

Age 0-3 months:

• the grasping reflex progresses;
• the baby puts everything in his mouth;
• tries to hold a rattle in his fist;
• examines his hands;
• reaches for objects - rakes up everything that is within reach;
• listens to the sounds coming from.

Educational toys from 0 to 3 months

1. Rattle. It should be small, quiet, light, strong, made of safe materials. The baby's movements are still spontaneous. He often waves his arms, he can hit himself with it. Give the baby a rattle so that he can rattle and watch the movements. By the end of three months, the baby forms an idea of u200bu200bhis own motor abilities. He consciously reaches out his hands to an object, grabs it, explores it.
2. Bright, jingling cloth bracelets, colorful mittens. First put them on one hand, watch the reaction. Then on both. These accessories develop coordination of movements, stimulate auditory concentration, tactile sensitivity.
3. Bell. Move 2-4 meters away from the baby, ring the bell. The baby should turn his head towards the source of the sound.
4. Mobile is a movable musical structure resembling a carousel, with pendants in the form of animals, geometric figures, etc. Install it above the crib, in a stroller, playpen. It is good when the mobile is equipped with a remote control, volume control, a set of melodies, several holders (stroller, playpen). Often, babies are put to sleep by light music and watching the rotating figures. If the mobile is attached to the side of the crib, then periodically change its location. The habit of looking in one direction is fraught with the development of torticollis. The distance from the toy to the child's eyes is at least 20 cm. If possible, change the pendants every 4-7 days.

   Do not hang more than 2-3 items on the mobile. There are models on sale in which removable pendants are made of rustling, shiny fabrics with different decorative elements. This option is durable, because the baby will then play with them separately.

5. A toy with a sounding filling, attached at an accessible distance in front of the child. The baby learns to push it with a half-open palm, watches the movement and sound that arises. Over time, he begins to understand that it is his movements that cause the ringing.
6. Tumbler, top. Stimulate an active interest in learning, develop concentration, vision, and hearing. These toys are designed for joint fun with adults. Spin the top in front of the baby, show how the tumbler stands up and swings from the movements of the hand. As the baby grows older, he will begin to fiddle with them on his own, lying on his stomach.
7. Balloon. Tie it to the baby's handle. The smooth movements of the ball stimulate visual concentration. Watching them, the baby gradually grasps the relationship between the hand and the ball.

   Do not inflate the balloon tightly, otherwise it may burst, scaring the child greatly.

8. Bags, soft animals made of fabrics of different textures, filled with all sorts of contents. By touching different materials, the baby involuntarily develops his sense of touch. Sorting through what is contained under the fabric affects the development of fine motor skills. Make educational toys with your own hands. Sew bags from various scraps (velvet, cotton, satin, wool), fill with cereals, legumes (buckwheat, peas, beans, semolina).
9. Ball. Fasten it in a hanging position above the child's legs. Let the baby try to reach and push. For these purposes, it is convenient to use a play mat with arcs.
10. Cubes, balls, other figures with a black and white pattern. Develop vision, stimulate concentration. Hang them at arm's length from the baby. Remove them periodically, change them to avoid boredom.
11. Draw a schematic image of a human face, large letters, attach leaves in the child's field of vision, on the walls of the apartment.

If the baby by four months does not look for the source of the sound, does not turn his head in its direction, does not react to musical objects, does not examine his hands - this is a reason to contact a neurologist.

Make play devices for the baby yourself. The main thing is that they are made of safe, durable materials, bright, preferably contrasting colors. Little explorers love to taste everything, throw it, pull it with force, knock it. Do not allow small parts and objects to fall into the toddler's reach.

I will tell you about toys from four months in the next article.