Back to School for Baby

Babies Need New Basics at Different Stages of Development
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
It`s that time of year when children everywhere gear up for a new year, new
teacher, new friends, and new school supplies.

In the same way school children need new supplies each fall, babies need the
proper toys to encourage their emerging physical, social, motor and cognitive
skills. Choosing playthings that are also educational can be a daunting task for
any parent. Here are a few tips to help you decide which toys best suit your
little one`s developmental age.

INFANTS:

* Choose brightly colored toys and those with contrasting patterns to help baby
focus attention and develop visual acuity.
* Toys that make sounds like rattles, balls, and soft toys offer both visual and
auditory stimulation.
* Textured balls and rattles offer sensory play value and make grabbing easy for
even the smallest hands.
* Classic teething balls and brightly colored links offer fascinating textures
for baby to chew, feel and practice biting and chewing skills.
* Silkies, soft dolls and baby-safe stuffed animals can help calm, soothe and
relax. Cuddling stimulates tactile exploration and enhances grasping skills.
Remember to keep cribs free of toys and stuffed animals.
* Older babies enjoy stacking toys, which teaches cause and effect, enhances
fine motor manipulation skills, and improves manual dexterity as they stack and
sort.

TODDLERS:

* A classic set of large or small building blocks provides hours of play. Blocks
can develop fine motor skills, problem solving, and creativity. An added bonus?
Blocks with pictures, letters and numbers encourage recognition and matching
skills.
* What parent doesn`t remember his own pound-a-peg set? Children learn to match
colors while they pound colorful wooden pegs into a bench-and watch hand-eye
coordination and manual dexterity develop before your eyes!

* Puppets are a vital part of imaginative play for toddlers. Moving mouth
puppets encourage communication, imagination, creativity and emotional
expression for kids of all ages.
* Puzzles keep little hands and minds busy, encouraging fine motor skills. Look
for easy-to-grasp, chunky pieces with colorful, matching pictures.
* Linking toys and chains inspire and encourage creative imagination and develop
coordination and logical thinking skills. Look for pieces that are easy to hold
and connect.

Don`t forget about babies and toddlers when the big kids go back-to-school
shopping. Babies need constant stimulation, and developmental toys are a perfect
tool to keep them occupied. Start your baby off early with quality toys that
entertain, engage and educate, and you`re in for a lifetime of fun!

Alison C. Schur, PsyD, MPH, is an entrepreneur and mom who created her business
out of necessity. After sleeplessly running around town searching for the best
educational toys for her infant son`s development, she created Baby`s Basics,
pre-packaged, age-appropriate toy kits. Schur handpicked every item, including
the bag, for its usefulness, educational nature, and high-quality, long-lasting
value through many stages of learning and growing. Discover Baby`s Basics at
www.babysbasics.com

Baby`s Basics
Alison Schur, 877-286-4166

Copyright Business Wire 2009