ALT-2 Educational Gifts for Toddlers
Energetic and curious toddlers love to play. It's how they learn and explore their world. Suitable toys come in many forms:
Costumes: Dressing up as animals, fairy princesses, firemen, cowboys, and superheroes can be fun and stimulate young imaginations.
Household Play: Toy kitchen sets, workshops, and laundry toys allow kids to practice role-playing and learn life skills.
Puzzles: Chunky tray puzzles and wooden or cardboard floor puzzles with colorful pictures encourage problem-solving.
Shape Sorters: Buckets, balls, and other sorters are available. These help young minds learn reasoning skills and develop hand-eye coordination.
Board Books: Children love having adults read to them. They adore the closeness and hearing a variety of voices and intonations. Looking at pictures and pointing out features of the stories encourage a love of reading.
Overall, toddler toys do not need to be elaborate to be educational. The most important thing is safety!
SAFETY
1. Toys for toddlers must be constructed on non-toxic (non-poisonous) materials. Young children really do put everything into their mouths.
2. Rough, unsanded, or sharp edges are taboo!
3. Look for toys with large pieces only. Small, detachable parts can be dangerous. Avoid buttons, snaps, tacks, and other fasteners. Anything smaller than 2" in diameter might be a choking hazard for a young child. (Labels may indicate whether toys are safe for children under three years of age.)
4. Sturdy toys are safest. Expect a child to climb on top of toys, stand on them, and throw them. Unbreakable materials are a must!
5. Electrical toys are generally unsuitable for toddlers.
