Whether the occasion is Christmas, a birthday or some other event, buying a gift for a child presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is for the gift to be enjoyed and appreciated by the child and to be of some developmental value to the child (help the child develop motor or language skills, for example). The age of the child plays a large role in selecting the gift, and children have different skill sets, interests and abilities. But with some careful consideration, an appropriate gift can be found for any child.
First Year
Newborns to 1 year olds learn about the surroundings through all five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste and touch. Gifts that stimulate the senses are good gifts for children in this age group because they stimulate learning. Gift ideas include rattlers, mobiles, teething toys, pop-up books, stacking toys such as building blocks, squeeze toys and infant swings.
One to Three
Children aged 1 to 3 are learning and practicing mobility by crawling, toddling, climbing, pushing and walking. They also learn about manipulating objects. Gift ideas include simple puzzles, tricycles, push toys, riding toys, large building blocks, stacking rings, crayons, coloring books, clay and picture books.
Three to Five
Children aged 3 to 5 are learning to associate with other children their age. Gift ideas include storybooks, puppets, simple board games, lacing activity sets with large beads and dress-up games with accessories.
Six to Nine
Children aged 6 to 9 are seeking new experiences and challenges. Peer pressure becomes a factor for children in this age group, so gifts that take into account social settings should be considered. Gift ideas include construction sets, sports equipment, a bicycle and helmet, simple model kits, simple craft kits, roller skates along with the protective gear, board games and books.
Nine to Twelve
Preteens are learning to thrive on playing with other children and expanding their skill sets. Gift ideas for preteens include sports equipment, art supplies, model kits, science project kits, jigsaw puzzles, card games and books.
Older Children
Electronic gaming systems are popular toys for this age group. Although they can stimulate hand-eye coordination, they can lead to sedentary lifestyles. Gaming systems such as the Wii can provide more physical activity for children in this age group.
