Appropriate learning toys aid in the development of skills.
From the time we are babies, we tend to have one sense - sight, hearing, movement - which is dominant.
This is our main channel to learning.
Our individual learing style determines how we learn, what we find easy to learn, and what is difficult.
You can help your child develop in all needed skills by discovering their learning sense. Then you’ll know:
★ What your baby will learn easily and naturally
★ What they may find challenging
★ What’s the best way to present new material
And the best time to start is when your child is a baby. While their brains are little learning sponges, when your influence is complete and before they have decided their preferences!
How do you tell which sense is dominant for your baby?
★ A baby who is a visual learner tends to point and gesture, is quiet, loves picture books and reaching for toys uses their hands often.
★ A baby who is a hearing learner tends to babble and sparks early, loves music and sounds and loves noisy toys.
★ A baby who is a kinesthetic learner loves to move their body, to swing and bounce, crawls and walks early, and enjoys toys that move with them.
Learning toys, chosen well, will work with your child’s natural learning style and encourage the use of senses they are less predisposed to use.
How to develop your baby’s visual learning skills
Visual skills develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills needed for writing. All children need to develop these skills.
Learning toys to develop baby’s visual learning skills
★ Blocks for babies: Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks Alphabet Blocks Edushape My Soft World Block Set City
★ Picture books
★ Play hide and seek with objects: Peek-a-Blocks Discovery Color Blocks Lamaze Peekaboo I Love You Manhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse
★ Mirror play (make sure it’s a baby safe one): Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Musical Activity Mirror Look At Me Mirror Taggies by Earlyyears Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Mirror
★ Soft books: Sassy Baby’s First Books
★ Soft toys with a variety of color and patterns: Lamaze Jacques the Peacock Lamaze Buzz the Bug Play & Grow Melissa & Doug Deluxe Picnic Basket Fill & Spill Soft Baby Toy
★ Visual toys which encourage movement: Fisher-Price Look a Rounds Gymini Super Deluxe Skwish Classic
Auditory orientated babies best develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills accompanied by social interaction and sound. Use sound to keep them interested whilst giving visual inspiration to a child who prefers listening, talk to them.
Kinesthetic babies will prefer their visual learning linked with movement. Engage these children with physical activity and touch.
Developing baby’s sight auditory skills
Developed listening skills are vital for language, reading and socialization.
Learning toys to develop baby’s auditory learning skills
★ Chimes: Lamaze Chime Garden Tiny Love Wind Chimes Ocean
★ Everyday sounds: Hear & Go Seek Everyday Sounds
★ Lullabys: Heavenly Skies and Lullabies Soothe & Glow Seahorse
★ Musical books: Sassy Soft Book Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
★ Toy musical instruments: Earlyears Lock ’n Rock Linking Shakers
★ Toys which encourage movement: DNU-Baby’s Wind Chimes Kick Toy Big & Small Chime Ball
★ Toys which make sounds: Baby Einstein Takealong Tunes Fisher-Price Rainforest Giraffe Stacker Peek-a-Blocks Sensory: Sound Sensations Blocks Manhattan Toy NooBoo Symphonic Stacker
Encourage listening skills for visual babies with learning toys which give them something to watch whilst they listen.
Encourage listening skills for kinesthetic babies with learning toys which encourage movement whilst they listening.
Developing baby’s kinesthetic learning skills
These children are natural movers. They often walk very early. These skills are important for mastering sports and enjoying physical activities throughout their lives.
Learning toys to develop baby’s kinesthetic learning skills
★ Baby jumpers and swings: Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
