Toys have gone beyond being the means of entertainment. They are now seen as an educational opportunity for kids. From electronics to musical instruments, everything has scope for learning. However, the main focus is around the intelligence quotient and motor skills. While these are required aspects for a child's growth in the early years, the emotional quotient should not be overlooked.
It is an equally important factor that shapes children to become responsible adults. It is also known to help them become self-aware, develop empathy, form stronger relationships, etc. A cute teddy bear is sufficient to make your child emotionally responsible. Find the following tips to help you buy age-appropriate cognitive development toys:
Infants: This age is all about exploration. It is where your baby is trying to learn about things by using its five senses. You do not want to overburden it with toys at this point. You could maybe introduce some colourful and cheerful playthings. This keeps them intrigued and appeal to the senses. You could buy toys like rattlers, hand puppets, musical dolls, etc.
Toddlers: Children in this age group start to recognise emotions slightly and identify objects. They also try to express themselves but are not too good at it. This often leads to outbursts and tantrums. Hence, this is the best stage to start teaching them about controlling their expressions. You do this by getting them puppets, play kits, expression dolls, role-play games, etc.
You could also give them snuggle toys to hold on to when they experience anger or frustration, which is a common emotion for kids at this growing stage. You find adorable varieties of teddy bear online for this purpose.
Kindergarteners: Kids reaching this growth stage become curious and develop a longer attention span. They now have an understanding of many things and want to explore more. That is why they start asking questions about what sparks their interest. It is essential to answer these innocent queries to teach them new things.
You can now start giving them open-ended games like puzzles, building blocks, do-it-yourself kits, story building toys, etc. You can also fill up their play space with a tent or a dollhouse to encourage pretend-play.
School-going children: When kids become school-goers, they have better control over their emotions. It is the beginning of their journey where they start making sense of the world on their own. This does not mean their emotional development is done. They still need your guidance in focusing on empathy, caring for others, good manners, controlling anger, etc.
You should introduce them to games that emphasise arts and crafts, problem-solving, construction, role-play, collaboration, etc. At this stage, kids get fascinated with the shows they watch. So, you should buy them relatable toys. For instance, a Dora game is a great way to remind your kid what he/she learns from the character.