Best Development Toys for 1 Year Olds

There are a variety of educational milestones that 1 year old children typically achieve, some of which can be very exciting. These milestones will be described below alongside development toys for 1 year olds to help improve necessary skills. It is important to consider that all children will develop at their own pace and these milestones are guidelines. Physical Development Toys for 1 Year Olds For many 1 year olds, this is an exciting time in physical development! At this age, children can usually pull themselves up into a standing position and stand without support. They may attempt to take their first few steps unassisted, though sometimes rely on furniture when attempting to walk further distances. 1 year olds are still learning that some objects can move when leaned on and may forget this when they grip them for support – it is a good idea to move any objects like this out of reach. To help support walking, development toys for 1 year olds such as this wonderful Baby Walker can help your little one to build confidence in balance and coordination, whilst simultaneously improving their motor skills. Additionally, when it is time to take a break from walking, the walker has a selection of wooden blocks; 1 year olds love to bang blocks together and stack them, so this is the perfect toy. In addition to taking their first steps, 1 year olds begin to develop an interest in real-world items around them. For example, they make try to drink from a cup, use a spoon to eat with and enjoy toys like pretend phones. Why not try this Afternoon Tea Set, perfect for developing imagination, social and fine motor skills. Many 1 year olds will be able to use a pincer grasp, using their thumb and index finger to pick up objects that require precision. To develop this more, development toys for 1 year olds such as play dough and activities like turning the page of a book, may help to strengthen the relevant muscles in the hand. Children at 1 year of age may also enjoy throwing objects, purely because they are simply curious about what will happen. Soft toys, such as balls, are excellent for this and can help your child to establish a sense of cause and effect. Cognitive Development Toys for 1 Year Olds When it comes to cognitive development, 1 year old children are typically able to follow one-step instructions. They can usually look at the correct object or image when it is named and are also able to find hidden objects; this rabbit puppet can hide and appear behind its lettuce leaves. 1 year olds enjoy looking at a book and being read to; they will try to turn the pages as they learn the first steps for reading. Interactive books are an excellent resource for 1 year olds, as they encourage children to get involved with the reading process. A brilliant example is Into The Ocean; this picture board book contains touch and feel layers, rhyming texts and endearing illustrations, providing a sensory learning experience for children. Books such as Shapes, Colours, Numbers may be a helpful addition to the bookshelf and is the perfect introduction to learning about shapes, colours and numbers. As discussed, many 1 year olds love to stack objects. Stacking is a fun activity can be combined with learning and prepare your child with counting skills that will be beneficial in Maths as they mature. For example, this Neo Stacking Game would be a fabulous way to encourage an early understanding of counting, whilst also helping to improve fine motor skills and coordination. Social & Communicative Toys for 1 Year Olds As your 1 year old develops, they may become increasingly shy or anxious around strangers but show affection to those they are close to and seek attention from caregivers. Children will start to use simple gestures and try to copy words they hear. They will babble and demonstrate an understanding of inflection, with a knowledge of a few words such as ‘Mama’ and ‘Dada’ or phrases like ‘uh-oh’. 1 year olds become more sociable and enjoy games such us ‘peek-a-boo'. Children at 1 year of age also show enjoyment when listening to familiar songs and stories. This could be promoted with development toys for 1 year olds such as a Nursery Rhymes Traditional Story Set with finger puppets, which also increases communication skills, managing feelings and increasing imagination. It is also worth exploring toys for toddlers as children approach 2 years old. We hope that some of these tips have been useful and provided a helpful guide to milestones and development toys for 1 year olds.