Developmental toys and gift ideas, 0 – 3 years

By Cozette Laubser |

’Tis the season! Celebrating Christmas with your baby for the very first time is such a memorable occasion, and it’s no wonder parents get swept up in the moment, swipe their cards left and right, and then sourly regret it when they realise baby couldn’t be bothered with the present itself, but instead excitedly reaches for the wrapping paper and the box it came in.

This article arrives just a few days before Black Friday too — the perfect time to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Learn more about age-appropriate developmental toys and gift ideas for babies and toddlers, 0–3 years, here.

SEEK OUT TOYS THAT ENCOURAGE ACTIVITY

Magda Gerber, author and early childhood educator, says, “I’d rather see a busy child manipulating a simple toy in a variety of creative ways to see how it works than see a passive child playing with a busy toy that encourages her passivity.”

Carla Hannaford, biologist and author, says, “Learning, thought, creativity, and intelligence are not processes of the brain alone, but of the whole body.”

CHOOSE TOYS THAT CAN GROW WITH YOUR CHILD

OPEN-ENDED VERSUS CLOSE-ENDED TOYS

Open-ended toys are toys that can be played with in multiple and varied ways. They are often described as toys that are 90% child and 10% toy as they leave plenty of room for a child’s input.

Ten children could be given the same toy and all ten of them would find different ways to play with it on different occasions based on their interests, developmental stage, natural abilities and imagination. By this definition, the same toy can usually be played with by a baby, a toddler, a pre-schooler and even beyond.

OPEN-ENDED TOYS

• There is no definite ending point.
• Can be played in many different ways.
• Children play freely without expectations or objectives.
• Great for fostering creativity, imagination and pretend play.
• Language opportunities are limitless and can be expanded upon.
• Encourages problem solving.
• Open-ended toys can grow with the child through ages.
• Examples of open-ended toys include balls, stacking cups, building blocks, toys on wheels, dolls, animal figurines, push and pull containers etc.

Balls, blocks and containers on wheels.

CLOSE-ENDED TOYS

• Have a specific objective and clear ending.
• Usually only one way to play.
• Can help with cause and effect.
• Great for teaching functional play.
• Can help with building attention span and task completion.
• Great for teaching simple directions like in, out, push, etc.
• Limited ability to get creative and expand language.
• Examples of close-ended toys include ball poppers, shape sorters, ring stackers, puzzles, etc.

Pounding bench, shape sorter and ring stacker

PLAY SPACES AS A GIFT

Sometimes the best gift isn’t something wrapped in a box, but a play space you thoughtfully prepare for your little one.

Play spaces are not limited to, but can include:

• A sandbox
• An outdoor mud kitchen
• A tree house etc.

Before we ever put a pencil in a child’s hands, those hands should dig, climb, press, pull, squish, twist, and pinch in a wide array of environments and with a variety of materials. — Amanda Morgan

Sandbox, mud kitchen and tree house

In her book Play Learn Know, author Dr Melodie de Jager says:

The best toys for a baby are not toys at all; they are the real, everyday objects that Mom, Dad, and the caregiver touch and use.

Dr de Jager goes on to explain that the following day-to-day household items can add hours of developmental play in the sandbox. Sand and water play offer so many experiences of maths and science principles! Be sure to introduce these items over time:

• Spatulas
• rolling pins
• sand wheels
• funnels
• sieves
• colanders
• stones
• shells
• scoops
• measuring spoons and cups
• sprinkling cans
• wooden spoons
• buckets
• shakers
• pipes, tubes, cylinders
• potato mashers
• sand combs
• balance scales
• baking bowls and pans
• mixing bowls.

MORE PLAY TIPS BY DR MELODIE DE JAGER

• Offer a few toys at a time — do not tip out the whole box, or they will lose interest!
• When you buy a new toy, show your baby or toddler how to use it, and then let them explore freely as well.
• Tidying up is part of playing — and it should not be your responsibility. Teach this early!
• Just as your child enjoys playing with toys, she will also enjoy reading books with you. All children need the opportunity to explore books with their hands and mouths. Young children should have a few vinyl or fabric books for this purpose, as these can be easily washed. Because these books are not too delicate, they also teach your child how to turn pages carefully — a coordination skill still to be mastered.

Lastly, if shopping isn’t your thing, join the club! Here’s the good news: the best play doesn’t come with a price tag. Remember:

Children don’t need more things. The best toys a child can have is a parent who gets down on the floor and plays with them. — Unknown

De Jager, M. 2017. Play Learn Grow. Johannesburg: Mind Moves Publishing.

De Jager, M. 2014. Play Learn Know. Welgemoed: Metz Press.

Play Learn Know {3-6 years}

Play Learn Grow {Birth to 3}