Thursday, January 19, 2023

When Do Babies Start Playing With Toys?

 

When Do Babies Start Playing With Toys?



Your baby will graduate from rattles to stacking toys during the first 12 months, but there’s one thing that will never change: His favorite toy will always be the box.

During his first few months of life, the only toy your baby really needs is you. But before long, your little one will start to become curious about the world around him — and then, everything becomes a toy.

Here's what caregivers need to know about introducing toys to babies, including some of the best playtime options during the first 12 months.



When do babies start playing with toys?

Although younger infants can interact with age-appropriate playthings, such as by shaking a rattle, it isn’t until after 6 months that babies really start to play with toys in the more conventional sense of the word — knocking over blocks, rolling a ball or snuggling with a teddy bear, for example.

By 9 months, your baby may have favorite toys and can interact with them by moving items from one hand to another or searching for a toy he sees you hide. 

Here are the different stages you'll notice as your baby starts to engage more with toys, as well as the different types of playthings that will keep him entertained from the newborn months to toddlerhood.



Birth to 2 months old

Newborns can only see objects that are 8- to 12-inches away at this age, so one of the most interesting things your baby looks at will be your smiling face as you hold him. In the newborn stage, playtime and quality time are one in the same, and your baby gets all the entertainment he needs as you hold, touch and talk to him. 

Babies also learn about the world through their senses — touch, sight, hearing — so some of the best toys for a 1-month old might include playthings with contrasting colors, soft sounds and different textures. Think mobiles in bold patterns, playmats with hanging toys to gaze at and multi-textured rattles. 




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