Children from zero to three years need toys suitable for the various stages of development. It is also very important not to provide them with games that could injure themselves or contain small, potentially dangerous pieces. Let's see, age by age, which toys are most suitable for children from 0 to 3 years.

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Toys for children from 0 to 6 months

Children from 0 to 6 months do not need big toys. A rattle and a small rag doll are enough. Even the soft little books in fabric, which usually produce a noise, a kind of rustling, which attracts them a lot, are very nice.

A colorful and equipped gym with small toys can help the child develop his first and progressive motor skills, as well as stimulate the senses.

Toys for children from 6 to 12 months

Starting at six months, children begin to be much more involved and play more. A very important moment is the ability to sit without support .

Does children need 6 to 12 months to play?

First of all a carpet, possibly soft and very colorful. The rug is preferable to the box because it does not limit the child in a closed enclosure, but allows him to expand and feel free.

A very nice toy for children, starting from the moment in which they acquire the ability to sit without support, is the basket of treasures, an activity widely used even in nursery schools. The basket of treasures must be prepared at home. In a basket with a minimum diameter of 35 cm and a height of 10-12.5 cm, put lots of different objects, of many different materials: rubber balls, wooden cubes, small cloth puppets, rattles, cloth books, spoons ... paying attention to diversify and, of course, to insert only safe objects in the basket. This homemade toy stimulates the child to enrich his sensory experiences in a phase in which the brain is very receptive.

Discover also the stages of the child's growth and how to promote it

Toys for children from 1 to 3 years

In the age range between 1 and 3 years children acquire new and important skills and, if properly stimulated, they play a lot. After learning to walk, usually around 12/13 months, they gain more advanced motor and manual skills. At this stage, subjecting the right toys can greatly help in cognitive and motor development . There are many toys available on the market and often we parents can feel disoriented. Here are some ideas to choose well.

Construction . There are buildings suitable for children from one year of age, of many shapes and so many materials, including natural materials, especially wood. The age range is always indicated on the packages. Constructions help to develop imagination, imagination and manual skills. Different types should be stored in different containers to be made available to the child alternately, so as not to create confusion.

Books Already starting from 6/8 months of age it is advisable to read books to your children, to encourage the development of multiple skills. The book is a great playmate; up to two years of age, especially if the child puts everything in his mouth, it is advisable to choose those made of fabric or other resistant materials, which cannot be nibbled; from the age of two, hardback books can be offered. Children's books should be kept in a low library so that the child can pick them up at will. Anyone who does not have enough space in the house for a bookcase dedicated to children can choose any other place where the child can arrive without difficulty, for example a low table or the lower shelf of any bookcase.

Colors Do you know that there are suitable colors on the market starting from one year of age? They are specifically designed for children and are a great tool for creative games. However, it is important not to provide children from 1 to 3 years with colors that are not suitable for the age group; the indication is always shown on the packaging.

Shape games . Form games, like constructions, are available on the market in many versions. They help develop hand-eye coordination and train movement precision. As with constructions, it is advisable to keep games of different shapes separately, so as not to cause confusion in the child.

Puppets and rag dolls . Young children like puppets and rag dolls; they cuddle them, put them to bed, offer them the pacifier and baby food, in short they give the puppet what the adults do to them. It is advisable to choose puppets in natural materials; preferably of small dimensions, otherwise the child will find it difficult to manipulate them. Giant plushies are more popular with adults than with children. It is also important to carefully check the tightness of the seams and that there are no detachable and, therefore, potentially dangerous parts.

General considerations on toys from 0 to 3 years

In general, it is important to provide safe toys for children from zero to three years old.

• Check that the CE mark is present , to be certain that the toy has been manufactured in compliance with European legislation. There is a similar brand, but it means Made in China. Therefore, observe the mark on the package very well.
• Check that the game is suitable for the age and respect the indication . The box must always carry this information. This also applies to stuffed animals and rag dolls or other materials.
• The written Safe Toys indicates that the toy, in addition to being compliant with European legislation, has undergone a safety test, checked by the Italian Toy Safety Institute .