Five toys to buy for grandchildren

(Source: gifer.com)

0 – 12 months

For the first three months, your grandchildren have limited ability to observe their environment as they still have blurry eyesight. During this period, they see bright, boldly patterned items best. 

“Toys don’t have to be black and white as long as the colours contrast with each other,” says Nora Newcombe, a developmental psychologist at Temple University in Philadelphia. As babies grow, they will enjoy toys that engage their other senses. That is why so many toys are made to encourage interaction in various ways: They may be soft and cuddly, have a nubby texture, and make a squeaking or crinkling noise. Infants love mouth toys; at the same time, textured ones can help relieve their teething pain.

1 – 2 years

Children love any toy that uses their newly developed motor abilities and responds to their actions at this age. Toys that allow children to knock a ball with a hammer, play music, or display characters will be adored by your grandchildren. When a baby presses a button, certain high-tech toys designed for this age will name a letter, shape, or number. Although your grandchildren are still too young to learn the alphabet, like ABCs, they will enjoy interacting with these toys while discovering a language.

3 – 5 years

In this stage, your grandchildren begin to take an interest in pretend play that mimics the behaviour of the people around them. They will enjoy toys that make real-world sounds, like talking dolls or phones that ring. It is best to let kids play with the toys they choose, regardless of gender, to prevent gender stereotyping. As an example of gender stereotype, most parents think that female babies at birth pretend to feed and put down their dolls for naps while male babies may love using dump trucks to scoop up sand.

6 – 8 years

As for now, your grandchildren are influenced by their teachers and peers while gradually developing their interests. For instance, some young children enjoy conducting science projects (with assistance), while others enjoy painting crafts, beading jewellery, or playing with dolls. Kids at this age frequently develop a deep love for video games, but they also enjoy having friends to play board games and sports. Therefore, you should choose the toys according to your grandchildren’s interests.

Eight years and above

Kids of this age love in-line skating, scooters, bicycles, and outdoor sports. They develop interests, skills, and hobbies similar to those of adults. They could also discover a particular passion or become a collector. According to Szymanski, the founder of Toy Tips, an independent toy testing and review service for consumers, “These years are all about doing activities that give children a sense of mastery and competence.” Additionally, your grandchildren are becoming more and more capable of working on more significant projects, but still the same as previously, the toys chosen should suit their hobbies.