Shopping for the Holidays

It's December and that means it's holiday season. The song says... "Its the most wonderful time of the year" but it can be stressful. I know we've all worked so hard this year and we want to make the holidays special for our children. Today I am going to talk about children 0 -24 months and try to guide you through the maze that is the toy store... whether that be Target, Amazon, specialty toys store etc. I often get asked what toys are good for my baby. Most homes I go to for therapy sessions have a lot of toys. Your holiday gifts need to fit into your budget and quantity almost never means quality or happiness. I remember when my children were small. We often put some toys away for the spring or summer so we didn't overwhelm the kids in December. If you have large families and are lucky to be bombarded with gifts this is great idea. Then when a rainy day comes or you need something new and exciting to engage your child you can reach into the closet and bring out a toy on reserve.

Here are some basic toys for the 0-24 months that I love to play with when I work with children.

1. Rings, play mats, textured/crunchy items. For a newborn these are my go to. The rings are easy to hold and can be used to connect other toys to the carseat or stroller. They are often textured and make excellent teethers. They entice baby to reach, grab and bring to the mouth. Crunchy and textured items give some sensory input and are often a part of a play mat. Baby begins to feel different items and gets a cause and effect when touching them. Playmats make tummy time more interesting and give baby some incentive. All these items come in black and white or multi-color.

2. Shape sorters, blocks, stacking items. These are great for fine motor skills. As your baby's hands begin to open and close they like to hold different shapes. They learn to bang items together, to pick up and throw items, to put toys in a container. They love to knock down stacked toys.

3. Books. Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do. They love the sound of your voice. They hear language. They learn about rhyming, animal sounds, same vs opposite, and any other subject written in a children's book. They also learn to turn the pages which involves reaching across midline, using fine motor skills, scanning, trunk control. And later they can practice reading to you... the gift that keeps on giving.

4. Farms, kitchens, musical toys, puzzles. Children love to imitate mom and dad. These items let children begin to use their imagination. They also help give opportunities to be vocal and use those sounds that are developing. Puzzles help teach children fine motor manipulation as well as matching and naming.

5. Push walker, mini tramp and tricycles. As I've noted in the past jumpers and exersaucers don't actually help your child stand and walk. But a push walker can be a good transitional toy to move from cruising to walking. These often have activity centers that are entertaining in sitting and side sitting. Mini tramps and trikes are good transitional toys for the 18 mo to 3 year old.

6. The Nugget. My opinions of this new craze are still out. It is expensive and definitely not a necessity. I've asked families to use theirs to build tunnels to crawl through. This is helpful if your little is bum scooting. The cushions can be used to build climbing structures. I often recommend climbing to helps strengthen shoulders, hips and trunk. And of course it can be a cozy spot to read a book, play or nap. Couch cushions and pillows can also serve some of the same purposes. If you are resourceful you can create your own cushions with foam and fabric. Washability would be an important factor for me when buying this item.

7. Squigz and spinners. I love the versatility of these 2 items. Both have suction capability which can be used on a table top. But I most often use them on vertical surfaces like mirrors or windows. They help children learn to sit more actively, to reach against gravity or to stand at a stable surface. They are fun in the bath as well.

By no means is this an exhaustive list of toys on the market. Every child and every family is different and enjoys different toys. I often use household items to play with children - everyone knows infants and toddlers often like the wrapping and the box better than the item. Consider where your child is developmentally and buy appropriately. Also to be considered are "experiences" like memberships to the zoo or Children's Museum or a gymboree class depending on your CoVid exposure tolerance. I'd also like to brag on my own parents who decided to invest their gift money for the first 2 years when children are less aware of gift giving. This has been a wonderful gift to my children 20+ years later.

Remember your children want to spend time with you. Keep it simple and enjoy the holiday season. Have fun and remember if you have concerns I'm here to help.