The greatest learning time for children occurs in the toddler years. Mental and physical developments are accomplished through play. Basically, a toddler’s “job” is to play and toys are the tools of his trade. Whatever toys are presented to the child, he will utilize them in his own fun and educational way.

For toddlers all toys are educational, because for a 2 year old, everything is educational. It doesn’t matter if toy you give for toddler are labeled educational or not as long as it address all the development skills for his age. Toys for toddlers should be geared to increase fine and gross motor skills, stimulate logic, creativity and imagination and above all else, promote fun.

Gift ideas for the development of fine motor skills

Puzzles, lego (or duplo for toddlers), shape sorters, stringing beads and pegboards with large pegs are all appropriate gifts for toddlers. These are absolute classic toys, but all children need these kinds of toys that will aid in the development of their eye and hand coordination, spatial thinking and imagination Toy telephones, musical toys of any kind, pounding hammers and peg benches all can also assist with hand eye coordination and finger dexterity of a toddler.

Gift ideas for the development gross motor skills

For the development of gross motor skills, the toys designed for physical activity for both indoor and outdoor play is your best choice. Push and pull toys, vehicle or riding toys, balls, climbing equipment, slides and beanbags are best for assisting the development of gross motor skills of a toddler.

Gift ideas to encourage creativity, imagination and logic

Any toys that require fitting things into another like shape sorters, simple puzzles and cups that fit inside each are good in stimulating logical thinking and problem solving skills of a toddler. While art supplies of all kinds such as non-toxic, washable paints, crayons and markers, clay and chalkboards with chalk are all good choices for encouraging the creativity and imagination of a child. Stickers, construction paper, cut-outs with child sized scissors are also in this category, but require adult supervision during playtime.

Blocks of all varieties, wood letters and numbers and touch and feel books will help with reading readiness and also foster imagination. When blocks are accompanied by figurines, the child can create his own world and play in it for hours.

Holiday Gift Ideas For Toddlers is a post from: LA Toy Store's Blog