Children's toys are more than just play. Through toys, they learn objects, develop thinking skills, and help children develop physically, emotionally, and socially. How can we find toys that are suitable for our baby's development? 0 to 3 months is the time to spend most of the time lying down. In this case, a black-and-white mobile or colored mobile that develops sight and hearing, a rattle that responds when the mother shakes it, and a sound book that can be listened to comfortably are good. At 3 to 6 months of age, the large muscles develop. Touch anything with your hands, bring it to your mouth, and bite and suck. In this case, a toy that can be gently touched and washed is good, but a tactile toy made of cloth or a tooth growth machine is recommended. Around 6 months of age, babies can sit on their own, and around 12 months of age they can walk. In this case, a toy that responds to a child's touch or a shape matching toy that can improve the fine motor function of the hand is appropriate. A toy that inserts a figure, a toy phone that emits a melody when pressed, and a walkers or swing that helps children walk are good. Use the swing from around 10 months of age and choose one with a safety belt. From 13 to 18 months of age, children are constantly moving, so soft-tactile balls or ball tents are recommended. 19-24 months is the golden age of language development, so toys that induce conversation and talk a lot are good. An empathetic doll, role-playing toy, or colored clay works well. Between 25 and 36 months of age, emotional development is active and expressiveness is clear. Role-playing with food-making toys or having a blackboard where children can draw helps develop their imagination.  

Toys are more than just playthings, though, and while they should be fun, they should also be age-appropriate, stimulating, and safe. Just because a new toy on a store shelf is labeled for your toddler’s age, or comes from a trusted brand, doesn’t means it’s totally safe. Checking the recommended age and package warning labels should be your first step These are some general guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for toys, here’s what to look for -Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant. -Stuffed toys should be washable. -Paint on any toys should be lead-free. -Art materials should say nontoxic. -Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials  

Whether it is battery-operated or plug-in, power toys simply cannot be immersed in water. Begin by removing the batteries and/or unplugging the toy. Then, dip a cloth in soapy water and wash the exterior of the toy. Be careful not to get any moisture near the battery box or wiring. As well, make sure that no moisture gets into the gaps between moving parts. To sanitize the toy, mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water in a bowl and saturate your cloth in the mixture and wring it out well. Wipe it over the ‘safe’ parts of the toy. Rubbing alcohol dries quickly, but if needed, you can wipe it off to remove the excess moisture.