Tip—Toddlers like toys that look like the "real thing"–many good ones are simple, household items.

Toddlers are very busy, don't pay attention for very long and touch everything. You don't necessarily need to buy a lot of expensive toys to keep a toddler happy and stimulated. Indeed, many parents have complained on Christmas morning that their child was far more interested in the wrapping paper or the box than the toy that came in it.

Toddlers like toys that look real—a bus that looks like a bus, or a doll that looks like a baby. The toy reminds them of the real thing. Make sure the toy is fun and not too difficult for your child to work. For instance, a toddler isn't ready for a puzzle of more than two or three large pieces. Offer your child open-ended toys (things she can use for more than one type of play). For example, your child can play with paint, blocks or dolls in many ways, but a coloring book has only one use. When a toy has more than one use, it encourages the child to develop her imagination.

Rotate toys to keep your child from getting bored or tired of them. Bring out the blocks for a few days, then put them away and offer the pots and pans, followed by the tennis balls. You'll soon see how long each toy keeps him entertained. Another tip is to get rid of the toy box. It's hard for a toddler to choose a toy when they're all jumbled up in a box. Display them neatly on low shelves or tables.

Toy Suggestions—The following list of good open-ended toys comes from my book, Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby.

(Safety note: make sure the toys you provide have no small pieces that could be swallowed, long cords that could get wrapped around a neck, no sharp edges, no lead paint and contain no hidden wires.)

You’ll find more practical tips you can use right now in Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby by Shari Steelsmith.

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