Animals (Age: from nine months)

Whether wooden or rubber, all children love animals. At early ages they will hold and carry the animals and between 12 to 18 months they will start to imitate sounds. Later, they will start to role play. Emmenegger suggests getting animals that are proportionate to the size of your child's block set so she can build a stable for them and use the toys together.

Also, rather than getting a collection of different animals, try to find a mommy, daddy and baby animal from the same breed. "A mini family is a great way to foster roll play," says Emmenegger.

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