Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

From birth to three years, a young child is in the first phase of absorbent mind or the period of unconscious creation or the unconscious absorbent mind according to Maria Montessori.  From newborn to toddler stage, a young child learns to speak, walk, gain control of his hands and master his bodily functions like the hand-eye coordination.  During this period, we should provide them with tools to facilitate these developmental milestones.  The following are suggested gift ideas for babies and toddlers.

This toy is sure to stimulate baby’s vision and auditory skills, as well as delight the baby with its bright color and multiple textures and sounds.  It has a squeaker, a rattle, a mirror and a crinkle for your little one to explore and learn.  This was developed in conjunction with child development expert from YaleUniversity and designed to be easily attached to strollers, carriers and diaper bags.  So bringing Lamaze Jacques the Peacock along with you and your baby is a snap.  This toy is made of child-safe materials for your baby’s little hands to manipulate. 

This toy is designed for young children ages 6 months to 3 years for visual and auditory stimulation and motor skill development.  Teach your child about color and shape identification, the alphabet, numbers 1 to 10 and opposites, with this toy.   This musical table has more than 40 songs and melodies and grows with your child.  Lay it flat on the floor for the baby to play while sitting, then attach the table’s legs when the child is able to stand already.  Songs and games are in English and Spanish, offering an introduction to another language.

This is an exciting way to encourage your child to walk.  Hasbro Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride is a stable support as your child learns to walk.  When the child is secured with his/her legs then this walker can be converted to a ride-on toy.  Let your child roll along or manipulate the antenna, clicking gear, spinning drum and other sight-touch-sound features.

Teach your baby the love for books in a fun way with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Storybook Rhymes.  As the friendly bookworm character ‘holds’ the book, baby can flip through the pages to learn letters, numbers, colors and first words or to listen to storytime melodies.

For early development of color and shape identification and matching skills development, this is a great toy-teacher.  Let the child match the pattern on the board with the brightly colored wooden blocks or have him/her create his/her own figures without the board to boost self-esteem with every accomplishment.

This geometric sorting board is self-correcting like any other Montessori material.  It challenges your tot to find which shape fits on which set of pegs.  Shape, color and pattern recognition and early geometry are taught with this material.  This product is a winner of the Good Toy Award from Parent Magazine.