When it comes to baby toys, is wood better than plastic? Dora better than Sponge Bob? Turns out toys are important for your child’s development – here's how to choose the best ones.

How toys teach your baby

Babies learn about their world by using all five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Toys engage and refine these senses by:

• Helping your baby learn how to control his movements and improve coordination.
• Helping him figure out how things work.
• Teaching your baby new ideas and how to use his imagination.
• Showing your baby how to solve simple problems.
• Helping your baby learn how to play by himself.
• Setting the foundation for learning how to share and cooperate with others.

Experts agree that babies need a variety of toys to enrich their lives and encourage learning. While your baby can learn from expensive store-bought toys, she can also learn from a crumpled piece of paper, a set of measuring spoons, an empty box, or a leaf. Everything is new and interesting to a baby!

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• How to avoid “too many toys” >