We hope you’re ready to play, because we’re all about BACK
TO THE BASICS – THE FUNDAMENTALS OF GOOD TOYS for the entire month of December.
If you’re looking for great, age-appropriate toys for you and your baby, you’re
in the right place!
Last week we talked about the fun you and baby can have with
a set of building blocks and the week before, we worked out on a play mats
This week, we want you to check your toy box to make sure
you have a ball or two ready. Balls are great toys for an active toddler,
giving them ample opportunity to practice walking (by chasing the ball) and
they also work wonders for hand-eye coordination. According to the
American Academy of Pediatrics,
kids should be able to throw a ball by the age of 2, but you can have plenty of
fun with younger tots, as well.
Playing catch in the backyard is one way to play with a
ball, but there are lots of other opportunities to incorporate this classic toy
into your playtime routine. For younger kids, try sitting on the floor facing
your child and rolling the ball back and forth. You can also roll a ball across
a flat surface, like a table, and watch it roll right off onto the floor. Kids
will get a kick out of it, and encourage your child to go find the ball after
it drops and for a quick lesson in object permanence.
For infants, consider a large, soft ball that can be easily
grasped in small hands, one that is safe for mouthing. Rolling the ball over
your child’s body will cause lots of giggles, as well as lots of sensory input.
Sassy has a great selection of balls, and some of my
favorites are the Bumpy Ball, Loopy Ball, and Sensory Ball Set.
Now go have a ball!
