The first year

During the first year, a new baby learns about their environment through their senses. They absorb sensations through sight, sound, touch smell and taste. The very young infant will enjoy black and white patterns at first. A colorful mobile, musical toys, and soft rattles can be enjoyed. The newborn will love lying on their back, on a soft blanket or lambs wool with a simple activity gum or mobile moving slowly above them. Soon the baby will enjoy grasping toys, bath toys, board and cloth books and soft plush. Teething toys become important at about six months of age. There are many choices in plastic, cloth, rubber and wood. Be sure your choice is easy for your baby to hold. Some of our favorite first toys are Sophie the Giraffe, wooden rattles from Haba, mini maracas, buddy blankets, and activity mats.

The first birthday for a child is a very exciting milestone. They are able to play with simple puzzles which have pegs for easy grasping. They enjoy stacking and nesting toy as well as shape sorters. As the baby begins to move more they will enjoy push and pull toys. A soft and cuddly doll will be much loved as will books that can be shared together. As they start to understand cause and effect, they will enjoy pounding toys and will develop hand eye coordination as they hammer the pegs. Some of our favorite toys for this age group are shape sorters, pounding benches, discovery blocks and pull toys of every kind. Many fantastic toys will be added both here and in the main categories very soon!