Toddler Toy Stimulation Ideas

Toddlers are generally classified as children who have just begun to learn to walk. The term is most often used to describe children between the ages of one and two, and it is a key stage of development in a child's life. Most children begin to talk, walk, relate to others and solve problems in the toddler stage. Toys that help toddlers gain their independence through the development of motor skills, socialization tools and problem-solving skills are important in guiding your toddler forward into the later years of childhood.

Motor Skill Toys

• The motor skills that require a toddler to use his entire body in play and develop his coordination are called gross motor skills. When a toddler has to crawl, walk or run, he learns more and more about what his body is capable of and how to coordinate his movements to provide for maximum efficiency. Toys to encourage the development of gross motor skills encourage kicking, pulling, stacking, building and throwing. For instance, toys such as soft balls to throw or kick, a wagon to pull and blocks to stack and build are appropriate for the development of gross motor skills.

  Fine motor skills involve movements and coordination of the hands and fingers, and these motor skills can be especially difficult for toddlers to get the hang of. Puzzles, toys with buttons or knobs, crayons, markers and shape sorting toys are best for toddlers just beginning to explore their fine motor skills.

Socialization Toys

• The toddler stage is also the earliest stage for children to really begin their development with socialization in earnest. Arranging play dates is important so that toddlers can learn how to interact with those outside their immediate family circle, and certain toys can encourage sharing. While not a toy exactly, a sandbox is a good place for children to learn to socialize. When provided with toy buckets and shovels, toddlers can both work on motor skills through filling the buckets with sand and also learn to share and cooperate. Stuffed animals and puppets can also help toddlers learn about socializing. Even if there are no other children around, a toddler's imagination can turn stuffed animals into friends and she can even host her own tea party or group game with her favorite stuffed toys.

Problem Solving Toys

• Encouraging time to play pretend can help your child work out his problem solving skills. Many toys can come into play with this manner of experience. Dress up clothing, dolls, action figures, toy cars and toy kitchens or houses can help children create an environment for their imaginations. Encourage your child to develop a problem in his pretend world, figure out a solution alone or with the help of friends (or friendly stuffed animals) and then act on his solution during pretend time. These exercises can help him learn the relationships of cause and effect and recognize patterns and concepts that can aid him in problem solving.