by M.R.

Created on: August 18, 2009

The old joke is that babies would rather play with the box a toy comes in than the toy itself. It's true. So don't waste your money on the latest plastic toy that lights up and talks (and will annoy you quite a bit when it stops being quite so cute). Baby toys are marketed to the parents, and well-marketed, too. Toys make claims that they will boost a baby's intelligence, teach him to read, or help her develop her math skills right from birth. Take your cues from the baby, not the expensive marketing campaigns. Babies love simple, household items more than they do the expensive, branded toy from the big box store. The best toys for young babies are probably in your house already.

1. Measuring cups. Babies will bang them together, put things in them, and carry them around by the handle very happily.

2. Spoons. Plastic spoons are just right for a baby to hold onto, chew, and hit against things to make different noises.

3. Pots and pans. Babies love to put things into containers. They will fill up a pot and dump it out, not only having fun, but working on their concentration and fine motor skills at the same time.

4. Balls. Babies love to roll balls, see a ball tossed, or just hold onto them.

5. Blocks. Either typical wooden blocks, foam blocks, or homemade blocks (think shoe boxes or jewelry boxes) that babies can knock over as soon as you've stacked them up. T'hey're actually learned about gravity and balance, even if they don't know it. Before you know it, they'll be stacking their own tower of two blocks and then more.

6. Cardboard boxes. Either the big one your new stove came in, or the regular ones that you get packages in will provide lots of fun for hiding and filling up with other stuff.

7. Stuffed animals and dolls. Your baby sees how you treat him or her from the very first day of life-the hugs and holding and feeding. The baby will begin to mimic these behaviors very early. Kiss a stuffed bear and give it a squeeze and your baby will be delighted and copy you very soon.

8. Books. Even the very youngest baby should be read to. Make sure you have sturdy board books that can take some chewing and drooling. Babies learn quickly how a book is held, how the pages are turned, and most importantly, how much delight can be found in its pages.

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