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Parents are aware that kids need to play constantly; they want one or the other toy to keep them engaged. Why not use this to improve their physical and mental health? Toys are the best way to involve kids in activities that will work well in strengthening their core.
That is why it is so important to stock their toy box with a wide variety of playthings to stimulate their growth in both body and brain. By offering a diverse range of toys, you can ward off boredom and keep your little one engaged and entertained. Now, this does not mean that you buy any expensive toys. Instead, focus on making a collection that provides a well-rounded set of play experiences. Mix toys and make a collection of activities with toys to make strength-building games to keep them engaged.
While shopping for toys, keep an eye out for toys that can help with this. This will ensure your child gets to exercise their physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities. Toys that allow children to use their imagination, role play and think about concepts like number, size and shape go hand in hand with toys that encourage physical activity. These are critical areas of development that children should practice as they continue to grow.
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Understand Physical Development In Kids
As an infant or a toddler, physical development is important to the kids' overall growth and maturation. Through engaging in a variety of physical activities, you utilize both your large and small muscle groups, as well as your senses, to achieve key developmental milestones.
These physical activities help kids acquire and refine two distinct types of skills - gross motor skills and fine motor skills. By regularly participating in physical play and exploration, you lay the foundation for continued physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development throughout your early years.
What are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills involve using the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso. Kids need these skills for everyday activities at school and home, like crawling, walking, running, jumping, and climbing. Most outdoor games are great for developing gross motor skills. By engaging in these activities, children improve their coordination, strength, and overall physical development.
What are Fine Motor Skills?
Fine motor skills, or dexterity, involve coordinating small muscles, especially those in the hands and fingers, with the eyes. These skills are essential for activities like tying shoelaces, buttoning shirts, and holding a pen. In early childhood, the right toys can enhance both gross and fine motor skills. Introducing appropriate toys as early as three months can significantly support your toddler's physical development. Here are some easily available toys that play a vital role in fostering overall growth and motor skills development in young children.
Toys To Improve Large Motor Skills
1. Push or pull toys
Try using toy lawnmowers, or shopping carts, or vacuums; baby carriages; animals on a string; a light wheelbarrow. These toys help improve their balance and coordination skills, making playtime both fun and beneficial for their physical development.
2. Ride-on toys
These require foot power and can help improve balance. First, choose wagons and wide, low-to-the-ground vehicles without pedals, then low tricycles once the child can reach them, around age 3 or 4. Avoid battery-powered ride-on toys.
3. Sports equipment
Playing catch improves hand-eye coordination and involves running, too. Start with large rubber and foam balls. Kicking the ball is also important. It not only develops motor skills but also helps strengthen the bond between kids and parents.
4. Action toys
A low plastic structure with a slide and climbable surfaces can be kept indoors or outdoors. Also consider play tunnels, swings, spinning seats, sofa cushions arranged as an obstacle course, or large cardboard cartons to crawl through.
5. Rockers
Rocking horses, rocking vehicles, and rocking chairs all provide the foundation for imaginative play.
Toys To Improve Fine Motor Skills
1. Art supplies
Always make available different types of paper and large-sized crayons and pencils, sidewalk chalk, watercolors, washable markers, coloring books, and play clay.
2. Toys that make patterns
Felt boards, magnetic boards, peg boards with large pegs, and matching games are excellent tools for developing fine motor skills. These activities require children to use precise hand movements to place pieces accurately, improving their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Additionally, these games often involve problem-solving and pattern recognition, further supporting cognitive development.
3. Stacking and building toys
Any kind of block works well, such as wooden, plastic, foam, or cardboard, as do stacking cups and rings. Shape sorters that allow a child to sort by color and shape appeal to younger preschoolers.
4. Toys to manipulate
At 2 years old, kids may still enjoy knobbed wooden puzzles, but they are also ready to start tackling jigsaw puzzles or foam puzzles with large interlocking pieces. This indicates that the brains are developing problem-solving skills and learning to recognize shapes and sizes to fit pieces correctly. Additionally, parents can introduce cards, large threading beads, tea sets, and musical instruments to further improve fine motor skills and cognitive development.
By providing a variety of toys that stimulate both body and mind, you support your preschooler's overall development. Focus on offering diverse play experiences, trading unused toys, and ensuring safety. Thoughtful toy choices can enhance physical, sensory, and cognitive growth, keeping your child engaged and entertained while promoting healthy development.
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
