CHOOSING TOYS FOR BABIES
When selecting a toy for a child under 1 year of age, certain guidelines should be followed to insure the child's safety and enjoyment.
- Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed. Make sure nothing small could be pulled or chewed off the toy.
- Check the paint or finish on the toy to make sure it is non-toxic.
- Avoid pull-toys with long strings that could go around the neck and cause choking. Pull-toys for this age should either have short strings or rigid handles.
- Always check the age rating on the package. And no matter how smart the child or how cute the toy, don't second-guess the manufacturer.
- With hand-me-down toys, especially those from another generation, give all of the above rules extra consideration. And if there is any doubt, err on the side of safety and discard the toy.
Babies under 4 months respond visually to high-contrast graphics, so look for toys with black-and-white patterns. After 4 months choose toys in bright primary colors, or opt for a toy with both black-and-white and primary colors. At around 6 months babies learn to really grasp objects, so reward them with small, easy-to-hold toys that respond to their efforts with pleasant sounds, colors and textures. As baby learns to sit up, stacking rings and soft blocks are an excellent choice to entertain and teach, and will be used well after the first birthday.
Lastly, remember that the safest toy is the one whose use you supervise, and the most entertaining toy is the one you play with together! For more information or to select a toy for baby, call Creative Kids Toyshop at 803.779.toys!
Coming in this column next time--- the newest, hottest items for arts and crafts fun!
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