Developmental Gift Ideas for Toddlers

Toddlers are developing at a really fast pace. Keeping up with their energy and needs is a full time job. Children this age are especially curious and learn from everything that they come in contact with. When shopping for toddler gifts this holiday season, keep these few things in mind.

Developmental toys will entice and nourish a toddler's developing brain and personality. Challenging toddlers is a great way to encourage development and progression. Remember that they learn by exploring, touching and testing things. Make sure that you provide a large area for your toddler to safely explore and discover new things.

Around this age, children start to develop a sense of self, wanting to keep their toys around them. You are probably familiar with the word "mine" by this point! Toys that have wheels and compartments are really well received. Wagons, tricycles with compartments, doll strollers, and dump trucks are especially fun for toddlers. They love to put their toys in the cargo areas and pull them around with them wherever they go.

Toddlers are old enough to start learning academic basics like colors, numbers and letters. Preschool toys are designed for children this age. The bright colors and bold patters will get the attention of the child. The bulky designs are easy for little hands to manipulate. Preschool games are great for teaching turn taking and problem solving. Puzzles are great for developing problem solving skills, eye hand coordination, and fine motor skills as well.

Fine motor skills should not be neglected at this age. Fine motor skills are needed for developing the small muscles of the fingers and hands. The earlier you get started, the better. The dexterity and control that toddlers gain from playing with toys that encourage fine motor skill development will aid them in handwriting, art, tying shoes, cutting and dressing themselves. These skills translate into independence and self-confidence.

Many toys encourage fine motor skills. Be careful not to leave a toddler alone with a toy that has choking hazards. A good option for fine motor play without worry of choking is an activity table. Activity tables generally have a series of activities that require pushing, pulling, twisting, pressing and manipulating. Train tables, magnetic activity tables, and "roller coaster" bead and wire maze toys are also great for developing fine motor skills and encouraging cooperative play with other children.

Another option is to encourage creativity and imagination. Play sets that help toddlers learn to pretend are fun, stimulating, and great for development of social and cognitive skills. Play kitchens, tool benches, blocks, art supplies and costumes are fun options for toddler gifts.

Toddlers will learn so much more if they are provided with the tools for doing so. Finding toddler gifts can be fun and exciting. Look for preschool toys, like an activity table, building blocks, or pretend kitchen for the special toddler in your life this holiday season.

About the Author: Jim Ford is the President of KinderMark, a family owned and managed business which sells waiting room toys and waiting room furniture used in doctor's offices, hospitals, auto dealers, dentists offices and libraries. Preschool toys such as an activity table and learning toys are favorites for pediatric offices.