Stimulating the senses
Looking, listening and touching are key ways for your child to start exploring their world. As your child grows they will become increasingly sensory aware. This describes the way we use our senses of sight, hearing, touch and smell to interpret the world around us. And there are plenty of toys out there to help them fine-tune their sensory awareness.
0-6 months
Before your child can walk or crawl around, they explore their immediate surroundings using their senses. You can give these skills a boost with a mobile over their cot, rattling toys and toys with moving pictures to capture their imagination and hold their attention.
6-12 months
As your baby gets better at grabbing and picking things up, they can start to use their sense of touch in exciting new ways. Toys that stick together with velcro can be fun at this age - they'll love exploring the different textures, putting them together and ripping them apart.
12-18 months
For toddling tots, sensory play can become more advanced - talking, singing and musical toys will get them listening carefully, while interactive storybooks that pop up or fold out are a great way to get babies looking at things in more detail.
18-24 months
When your baby reaches this age, they're into everything - touching, grabbing and starting to say their first words, too. They'll love making a noise and playing their first tunes on musical instruments.
Encouraging coordination
Hand-eye coordination is an important skill for growing children, this refers to the body's ability to take information received by the eyes and use it to coordinate hand movement. It's really easy for you to help your child develop by picking out a few simple toys.
0-6 months
Even before your baby can sit up, there are lots of ways you can encourage them to start developing coordination. Brightly coloured toys and toys that move are an easy way to get them reaching and touching the things around them.
6-12 months
As your baby's finger skills develop further, you can boost their coordination with games that teach them to match colours and shapes and start to build things for themselves. Building blocks, nesting, or stacking toys are brilliant ways to encourage coordination at this age.
12-18 months
Toddlers often want to get their hands on everything in sight. But you can make sure they're not playing with anything they shouldn't, by choosing coordination-boosting toys that'll really hold their attention. Puzzles with big pieces for chubby little hands are a great place to start.
18-24 months
Now your child's beginning to walk, climb and run, coordination becomes even more important. Pop-up toys, playhouses or cars with doors that open and shut are all great ways to give them a head start.
Physical play
Toys that get your little one moving are a fantastic way to get them off to a fit and healthy start in life. They'll start to enjoy playing with other children, too.
0-6 months
As your baby nears 6 months old, they'll start to roll over and then sit up without support. Baby bouncers, seats or swings with toys for them to grab and pull are a great way to get them used to the sitting-up position.
6-12 months
From 6 to 12 months, it's time for crawling, exploring and standing up. You can encourage your baby to try and try again with fun playmats and - as they get a little bit older - crawler tubes and houses for them to find their way through.
12-18 months
Now they can stand upright, there's even more fun to be had. Your baby will find all the encouragement they need with push-along toys to keep them steady on their feet and even their very first trampoline.
18-24 months
Tiny tots from 18 months old will love their newfound freedom now they've learned to walk. Toys they can push along or ride on are great at this age, as are tricycles that you can push as your child pedals.