If you're thinking of buying just another baby gift for a new birth or a birthday, consider how meaningful a learning toy can be to a child. There's truth in the refrain about educational gifts, because those that aid child development really are gifts that keep giving. Whether it's with baby's first picture book or an educational trust fund, you can choose to show your love and esteem for the special children in your life by contributing to their future. Fun learning opportunities and financial security are two great gifts to enrich growing minds. The baby gift ideas below are all appropriate for ages 6 months and up.
Auditory
Playing music and reading books aloud aid children's ability to distinguish sounds. Music CDs and picture books with enough text for adults to read are educational gifts that will see a lot of use. Choose recordings with easy, popular kids' tunes, such as "Row, Row Your Boat" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Pick books for baby gifts that feature rhymes or repetition, such as the Dr. Seuss series. Encourage babies' interaction with sound through learning toys, such as "play" musical instruments and pop-up books that make noise. Besides aiding auditory development, these provide the type of busy activity that older infants and toddlers can't get enough of, reports the parenting website Family Education.
Visual/Tactile
As motor skills and the ability to learn how things work develop, learning toys that kids can feel and explore visually are appreciated. For younger infants, a discovery center or interactive mobile is a means to learn shapes, movements, colors and more. The famous pop-up book "Pat the Bunny" teaches textures. "Parents Magazine" suggests that representative toys, such as keys or animals, do the same. From simple action figures to detailed, scale models, such as dinosaurs or ships, children learn to identify parts and wholes, and have fun playing in the process. Educational gifts for older babies can include alphabet and number books. These are both visually stimulating and practical tools for grasping language and math.
Fiduciary
The most flexible baby gift is the ubiquitous gift card, but yours doesn't have to be generic. Give parents the opportunity to shop for learning toys from the store of your choice. Make a tradition of giving children gift cards from book stores or those that carry back-to-school supplies. Of course, the most memorable educational gift consists of funds earmarked for school tuition. Designate savings bonds or bank accounts for learning opportunities that range from science camp to summer camp, or from preschool to med school.
