Simple Toys to Foster Infant Language Development
In the first year of life, an infant is in close contact with their mother, demanding constant communication. This isn't mere childish whim but rather a crucial stage in a child's development. Thus, it's important for mothers not to shy away from interacting with their little ones and instead, focus on fostering communication rather than mundane chores.
Babies start to tune into their mother's voice early, capturing its intonation and reacting to it. Giving enough attention to your child during this developmental stage can lay a successful foundation for their language skills later on. Short tips on how to talk to your baby while walking HERE
To promote a child's language development, it's vital for them to be surrounded by enough "sonorous objects" in their environment. Of course, the bustle of a supermarket can be sonorous enough, capturing a baby's attention or even frightening them. However, children interact much better with everyday objects that surround them and their mothers.
Physiotherapist Claudia Hela from the Parents' Club Parent School encourages parents to create toys themselves, emphasizing that all genius is simple. She suggests that mothers make sound-producing toys from household items, creating interesting and sonorous objects with your own hands. And keep in mind - the sound of things created by nature is different from plastic, - whether they are shells, stones, nuts or anything else that can be found in your kitchen - offer children real natural vibrations!!
Toys that Promote Infant Speech Development
Shaker Bottle
Take a small plastic bottle and put some grains or beans inside. Just secure the bottle cap, and the new toy is ready! Show the baby what sound occurs when the bottle is shaken—sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. This simple and easily made toy not only helps with the baby's auditory development but also promotes their ability to grasp objects and shake them.
Colorful Bell Ball
Find various fabric scraps at home and sew a ball or cube, filling it with small foam pieces and placing a bell in the center (available at sewing supply stores). Your baby will surely love the new toy because, made from fabric scraps, it will be colorful (you can even use different textured fabrics) and, on top of that, produce new sounds!
Bell Bracelet
Sew a little bracelet from sturdy material for your baby, attaching small bells to it. It's best if the bracelet can be fastened with Velcro so that the little explorer can easily put it on their wrist or ankle. You'll be surprised how much the little one will enjoy their new toy— they'll happily move their hands just to hear the bells!
Finger Games
Don't forget the great power of finger games in your daily routines with your child—letting the baby feel different textures, picking up various objects from the floor, which makes the child concentrate to grasp the interesting item, develops fine motor skills, which in turn promotes speech development. Also, show interest and pay attention when the baby tries to communicate with you, responding using various facial expressions.
Creating simple yet engaging toys like these not only aids in the physical and cognitive development of infants but also fosters early language skills crucial for their overall development. So, embrace the simplicity and creativity in your parenting journey—it's these little moments of connection that build the strongest foundations for your child's future.