It’s totally understandable that we want to buy toys for our little ones… especially when we are flooded with messages about how specific toys can grow their motor, cognitive and language skills! Go ahead and indulge in some toy shopping for sure, but don’t feel pressured to buy All The Things.
Real talk: most kids pick up knowledge, language and motor skills just from opportunities in their daily lives! Let’s look at some of the things they can learn just from getting dressed every day:
– Language / Cognitive skills: things (clothing items), actions (pull up, take off, stuck, fold), and descriptions (tight/loose, long/short, colours, inside out etc)
– Motor skills: working zippers & buttons, pulling clothing items on and off the body, balancing the body, using both hands to manipulate objects, etc
– Social skills: asking for help, talking about which shirt they like best, etc
Can one single toy give your child all of that?