Toddlers are like little sponges soaking up new information and skills every day. Almost any toy you give a toddler is likely to turn into a learning experience since toddlers are naturally curious and everything is new to them, but if you're shopping for an educational gift for a toddler, you can choose a gift that will help him enhance his developing skills.
Physical Development
Toddlers are learning how to use and control their bodies, and toys that encourage them to hone their physical skills are great for encouraging that development. Toys that can be pushed or pulled, such as scooters, toy lawn mowers or vacuum cleaners or pull-along cars; small climbing toys, such as sturdy step stools or oversize blocks; toys that can be stacked on top of or inside each other, like blocks, shape sorters or stacking circles; and toys that can be rolled and thrown, like balls, are all good choices for improving a toddler's physical knowledge.
Social Development
Another important skill set children develop during their toddler years is the ability to recognize and participate in practical life skills. Toddlers enjoy and learn from role playing toys, such as doctor kits, toy kitchens, tool sets or dress-up clothes. Toddlers can also boost their social development with stuffed animals, dolls or other toys that they can use to role play relationships.
Creative Development
Toddlers love to create, and tactile stimulation in their creativity can help them develop during their early years. Choose art supplies that let them tackle creative projects hands-on, such as clay, water-based finger paints, sand art or oil pastels, and make sure they have plenty of paper for their creative efforts.
Verbal Development
Toddlers are just discovering the power of using language to communicate, so choose toys to enhance their developing communication skills. Look for books that are full of rhymes and repetition that make good read-aloud books, or choose music with lively tempo and catchy lyrics.
Curiosity
Toddlers are learning how to explore and make sense of the world around them, so help them build their observation and analysis skills by choosing toys designed to fuel their curiosity. Choose peek-a-boo or pop-up books that surprise young readers, or look for memory or matching cards that children can pair up. Surprise toys, like jacks-in-the-box or toys that make music or light up, can also reward a toddler's curiosity with fun.
