The Impact of Toys in Child Development
March 9th, 2010 | 
Author: Parents often seek assistance in selecting the right toys at the most ideal stage of their child’s development. Many toys are designed for particular ages based on safety concerns; however, many others are designed to specifically encourage the development of certain abilities in a child.
In this article we will explore the fundamental skills developed by infants at varying ages, and the types of toys that can encourage children to reach their potential.
The Baby’s 1st Year
In the first year of a baby’s life, they begin exploring and experimenting with their most important senses:
Sound & Smell – In the first instance babies begin to match voices with certain faces and facial expressions, mainly from being held, fed and nurtured. Likewise, certain smells can be recognised and associations are gradually made. As they begin to establish these social attachments they become more receptive to different sounds and smells. Toys with sound and music that react to a child’s action are especially good at this stage, and simply letting your baby smell something and then see it can encourage development in this area.
Touch & Sight – As babies begin to take a little control of their hands; touching and feeling things become an important part of an infant’s development. Similarly, as sight becomes clearer, babies become more receptive to visual aids. Toys for this age are designed to enhance and encourage these traits. Toys should be for seeing, hearing and touching – this encourages the child to respond to the sights and sounds they see and hear. Picture books with sound, teddy bears with different textures and pulley toys that respond to a child’s movement are especially beneficial after 6 months old. Toys in bright, monochromic colours can also help to stimulate eyesight in the first year of a child’s life.
Ages 1 to 2
This stage is an important time for developing independence and important social skills that will never be lost. Between the ages of 1 and 2 it is surprising how rapidly a child develops from a tentative toddler saying only 1 or 2 words, to a confident child able to easily run and speak around 50 individual words.
From the age of 1, infants begin taking an interest in the effects of their manipulation, and it is very fun to sit back and watch children at this age. They particularly enjoy throwing toys and building things, so building blocks Duplo, and stickle bricks are fantastic toys at this age for encouraging hand and eye coordination, as well as a sense of balance.
From around 18 months, infants are able to walk very well and can run to an extent. When objects are in the way – running can prove difficult. However, with their newfound freedom, children love to explore and try everything out, without a sense of danger, so toys that encourage active play at this age are well received. Balls, Sit n’ Rides , Activity Stations, toys that speak or make noises and toys of characters they see on TV are advantageous additions to a toy box at this age – they will encourage children to play actively, and it will also help them sleep well at bed time (an added bonus!).
Language progression is also crucial at this age. Children will begin responding when spoken to and chattering away when playing. This makes it important for adults to talk to children in conversations, read stories and sing nursery rhymes whenever possible.
Ages 2 Years +
As a child turns two years old their abilities in counting and speaking becomes clearer, and bodily strength in running and climbing becomes more refined.
At the turn of two years old, toys that have movement and sound and allow the child to throw and drop are ideal, as they will help to refine their physical strengths. Toys that allow the children to push themselves along, such as sit ‘n’ ride toys that allow children to steer are very desirable.
As they approach 3 years old, outdoor toys such as climbing frames and garden swings are great. Children at this age have good spatial awareness, and refined bodily strength. They can move large toys easily, kick balls forcefully and they also have the ability to use pedals on a bike.
An infant’s imagination will develop greatly at this age as well, which is why dressing up and a fascination with make believe is noticeable. Doll sets, action figures, train sets and such toys are favourable at this age and help children express themselves and explore their independence. Children will also start to play with others and learn social skills through play. Cooperation and taking turns are examples of skills that will become extremely important both at a young age and throughout life.
Showing off new skills to family is also a very common trait for children around 3 years and upwards. Toys that mimic adult tasks, such as vacuum cleaners, cookers, shop tills and lawn mowers are especially good for engaging with a child.
While we have focussed on the initial, most advancing years of a child’s life in this article, toys have been proven to encourage creativity, self-confidence and academic skills throughout every stage of childhood.
About the Author
Having once owned the second largest toyshop in the UK, the owners of Toys Direct to Your Door (http://www.toysdirecttoyourdoor.co.uk/) have been in the toy business for over 40 years. Today, they continue to proudly provide quality children’s toys across the globe.
Toys Direct
Posted in climbing frames for children
Would a lack of baby toys impact a child's intelligence?
Assuming that love, attention, nutrition, and all other baby needs are met, would having limited baby toys (few or none) affect the child’s intellectual development?
I’m just curious here, not looking for parenting advice.
Thank you for all your answers. I have 3 boys, ages 6, 4, and 6 months. The first two had plenty of toys, not spoiled, but not deprived either. We sold/donated most of their baby toys, so when #3 came around we had to decide whether or not to make the investment again.
My first two are very bright, ahead of the average, and homeschooled. But their attention spans are short and they suffer from "want-itis" . We decided to let our third child grow up without being bombarded with the latest toys, in the hopes that he will be calmer, more imaginitive, and less driven for "stuff". We kept the toys that I considered valuable (blocks, puzzles, etc…) and our baby will have those available when the time comes.
I asked the question because I was curious about the public opinion on the subject. I have been pleasantly surprised by these responses! Thanks!
A lack of things to play with, yes.
Whether it is "baby" toys, not necessarily.
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I have always gotten creative, and loved just using things around the house…I dont think it will, but they do need something. If you get them too much, could they be spoiled?
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Absolutely NOT! Most kids don’t play with even half of the stuff that they have anyway, and most of the time, they would rather play with ‘non-toy’ items, or play outside, or be read to. Lack of toys could be a good thing!
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somehow, yes because there are some toys which enhances
a child’s mental functions and also creates child’s imagination
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I believe that the love and attention of a parent is paramount. Doing things with your child is far more important than anything. Going for walks together and talking about what you see, making and doing things teach them loads. Books can be loaned from the library – wonderful. I think my answer to your question is no!!
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I think it could. Studies have shown that when babies are stimulated with toys that light up, spin, have multiple parts and colors on them, this helps their brain to develop and make the connections that lead to intelligence. Even those spinner deals people put over the cribs can positively affect the baby’s development. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, though….even just being stimulated through light, music, and having the parents looking at them and talking to them might do the same thing.
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no just get toy that talk and say ABC’s &123’s that woul be a little einstein
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Absolutely not. Babies have too many toys now. One on one interaction with your baby is way better than any toy out there. Not having so many toys promotes imagination and pretend play. I think the opposite is negative, having too many toys is not good.
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No. My boys were more happy with the boxes the toys came in rather than the toy itself! If you’re the nurturing mom you sound like you are,,they’ll do just great! Best to you!
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Not having toys wouldn’t affect their intelligence, but not having something stimulating them would affect their intellectual development. But there are so many things besides ‘baby toys’ that can stimulate a baby’s senses – like singing, or conversations, or the world outside – or even things like paper, boxes, or tupperware. Anything with different textures, patterns, or noises will stimulate a child. After all, everything is new to them.
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All the kids I know would rather play with a pot and a wooden spoon, or the box that the toy came in. There is no sense in wasting so much money on toys. Sure some toys will be great, but no need to go overboard. Think back to when you were a kid, did you have many toys? You turned out just fine, right?
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Absolutely not! In past generations, there were no such things as "baby toys," and people grew up to be healthy and intelligent individuals (look at Edison and Einstein!). But that said, your baby still needs to learn to amuse himself. Most babies love playing with pots and pans, and with Tupperware containers. Water play is always fun (in the bathtub, or at the beach). Sand boxes are awesome, and are good for helping a child develop manual dexterity. Kids can have hours of fun (and stimulate their imagination and creativity) with a big box of crayons and some plain paper. If you’re planning to buy just a few toys for your child, I would stick with the tried-and-true classics – blocks, a little red wagon, a tricycle, etc. Most kids will have hours of fun with something as simple as a huge cardboard box!
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Considering the fact that some of the greatest and most intelligent people throughout man’s history have had lfew to no toys (Einstein, Plato, Isaac Newton, Hawkings, Merriam Webster, Copernicus, Benjamin Franklin, Jesus of Nazareth, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.) and considering the fact that many of them lacked, in some manner or another, some of the most essential factors for healthy development, one could safely say that a lack of many toys would not adversly affect a childs intelligence. On the other hand, an overabundance of toys, especially the ones that do not challenge children to be more active by appling acquired knowledge to practical situations, would actually hinder the develorment of a child’s intelligence. In what, if anything at all, does a push-button, noise making, visually appealing toy help a child developing intelligence. Toys, especially the modern, electronic ones, promote mental lathargy in children. Just think about it! Even school kids are pushed to complacency because calculators, computers and other electronic enhancers do all the mental work for them.
To me, intelligence is best developed, by applying the knowledge you acquire through your five primary senses, to solve the simple to complex problems that life places before you on a day to day basis. There is nothing better than reading, through wichever means available, to develop intelligence. Although a stable, loving , responsible environment at home exposes the child to a more tranquil condition, which aids greatly in developing other traits necessary for the obtention of intelligence, it is not an absolute.
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The toys themselves don’t necessarily stimulate developement. I think it is the time that you spend with the child. Just a generation ago there was no such thing as "baby einstien" and all that stuff.
Most of the time, babies want to play with spoons, bowls, stuff around the house, boxes, blankets etc.. I think though that a few toys wouldn’t hurt either.
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mother of 1, one on the way!
Having limited toys is probably best. I think that zero toys would be a mistake.
We have a few toys for our son and we play WITH him. It provides an opportunity for learning. He learns cause and effect with his little barn. He figured out that when he pulls on the barn door, the windmill spins, lights start flashing, and it plays music.
With his block set, he has figured out that each shape fits into a different hole. He’s still working on that, but when the circle doesn’t fit in the square hole, he tries to figure out which hole it does fit in.
And his "Leap" sings the alphabet to him and he tries to repeat the sounds that he hears.
He doesn’t have a ton of toys. Just the ones above, a couple stuffed animals, and a few teething toys. Those rattles and teehers are just great for chewing on. He gets to feel a variety of textures, and he loves to also bang them around and hear them crash together.
We play with him most of the time, and help him find new ways to play with the toys he has. Because he doesn’t have "TONS" of toys, he is happy playing with the ones he has so far. And since they are designed for babies… and not just stuff around the house, I can feel safe leaving him alone with his toys if I need a little time to do something else, like laundry, cooking, etc.
No toys would probably leave him bored and stunt his creativity, and diminish his happiness. I am constantly amazed at how much my child has learned in 8 months. He is actually learning to do many things ahead of the "Average" baby.
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i think it’s depending on the age.. if you have a 2 year old running around without any toys, he’s got nothing to do.. By playing they explore their world.. As for a baby, their parents are the best toys for them. But still, a gym would teach them reach and grab, Blocks and rattles would teach cause and effect… i dont think a parent needs to BUY many toys, bc any can be made of household stuff, but i believe toys are needed to teach them to play independently..
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