If you\u2019re really sure you want to buy a toy, and you want to have a better-informed conversation with the parents when deciding what to buy, it\u2019s important to make sure your gift is age-appropriate. Different stages of the child\u2019s development are best suited to certain types of toys. Toys are not all \u201cbad\u201d for kids by any means \u2013 but it\u2019s necessary to do some research to make sure you\u2019re getting the right kind of toy that will be the right fit for where the child is in their growth and development.<\/p>\n
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Most child development experts agree that toys are good for babies. The reason? Babies are learning about the world all the time, with all of their senses, and toys can help babies learn about shapes, textures, sound, colour and other aspects of the natural world.<\/p>\n
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The best toys for infants include textured toys that are safe for the child to chew on (such as teething rings), brightly coloured toys with rattles and noises that the baby can reach for and grab onto, and textured toys that are fun for the baby to touch and feel.<\/p>\n
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Most baby toys are designed to be safe for use in cribs and playpens, but still it\u2019s important to be careful and safety-conscious: don\u2019t buy toys that could lead to dangerous entanglements or present a choking or strangulation hazard. Never hang toys in the crib, playpen, stroller or infant seat, and don\u2019t give a baby toys that could be wrapped around the child\u2019s neck with string, elastic or ribbons.<\/p>\n
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During this stage of growth, babies are getting better at motor skills such as sitting up, crawling, holding things in their hands, and manipulating things with their fingers. Babies this age often want toys that they can handle, drop, open and shut, pick up, stack, and knock down. Toys that can move along with the baby \u2013 such as miniature lawn mowers or shopping baskets \u2013 or playsets where the baby can stand up with the help of the toy (such as musical keyboards to make noise on, or tunnels to crawl through) are very good for this age.<\/p>\n
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By this stage, children are getting better at exploring the world, and will have higher energy for walking, climbing and riding. Toys for kids this age should help stimulate a sense of experimentation and encourage the beginning of life skill development, such as little kitchen sets where the kids can learn about cooking and other \u201cgrown up\u201d activities.<\/p>\n
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Toddlers this age are getting better at jumping, throwing, climbing and other physical skills \u2013 so they need toys that are designed for active play. Good toys for this group include puppets, puzzles, blocks, and art supplies. Children this age will be doing more imaginative play.<\/p>\n
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Children this age will start to play with each other, instead of doing independent \u201cparallel play\u201d like when they were younger. Preschoolers and older kids often love to play imaginary games and act out various roles \u2013 this is a great age to buy costumes and props. Kids might have a special favourite stuffed animal or doll. Toys that let kids create things and make inventions are also popular at this age, such as Legos.<\/p>\n
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Another pet peeve for many parents is when people tend to buy overly \u201cgendered\u201d toys for their kids. Just because parents have boys or girls doesn\u2019t mean that all of their toys have to be geared toward the mass media\u2019s stereotypical vision of what \u201cboys like\u201d or what \u201cgirls like.\u201d The truth is, kids today are being raised in a more diverse and open environment where girls and boys are encouraged to explore whatever interests them. Girls like cars, and boys like dolls \u2013 it is OK!<\/p>\n
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Another option is to spend less money on toys altogether, and put your money into a place where it can do the most good for the child\u2019s long-term future. According to this article in the Huffington Post, 72 percent of Canadian parents are planning to put money into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), and 79 percent of Canadian parents say they do not feel pressure to buy the latest gadgets for their kids. Perhaps instead of spending money today on toys, put it into an education savings fund \u2013 and that money will be worth much more to the child in the future than any long-forgotten toy.<\/p>\n
Giving gifts is an act of love. Don\u2019t feel bad if your idea for a great new toy gets met with some hesitation by the child\u2019s parents. Instead, look for ways to compromise and collaborate on choosing a gift that will really be helpful and create a positive addition to the child\u2019s life. Remember: the child and her parents want to spend time with you and enjoy a close-knit, happy family. In the final analysis, your time and presence are the greatest gifts of all.<\/p>\n