Toys, Toys, Toys

Toys are learning tools for babies. Often, simple household objects like pots and wooden spoons are great toys. If you buy toys, make sure they are safe for your baby. Don’t let your baby play with anything that has parts he can choke on. Check for sharp edges and points that can cause injuries.

Offer the following kinds of toys to your 11- month-old. His muscle control and balance will improve. He will begin to use his imagination. These toys also help him understand size—the beginning of math skills.

• Stacking toys in different sizes, colors and shapes
• Unbreakable mirrors
• Wheeled toys like cars and trucks that are made of flexible plastic
• Balls of all sizes
• Cardboard books with realistic pictures
• Toy telephones
• Toys that make noise—music boxes, busy boxes that squeak and squeeze toys, for example

Save the following “beautiful junk” for your baby’s play. When the containers become ragged, toss them away. You’ll almost always have a clean, sturdy replacement.

• Paper tubes
• Empty boxes
• Plastic egg cartons that you have washed with soap and water
• Empty and clean milk or juice jugs (without caps)

This content has been provided freely by CMC. Click Healthy Start, Grow Smart—Your-Eleven-Month-Old for your free download. Click GreatDad Free Ebook to download the entire Health Start, Grow Smart series.

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