| Though they may seem like all fun, toys are more than | | | | math skills, problem solving, and artistic talent are all |
| entertaining playthings that amuse our children. Toys | | | | parts of cognitive development. There are many, |
| are the tools our children use to learn new skills, as well | | | | many toys that promote and enhance cognitive |
| as understand the world and events around them. | | | | development in children. Natural toys, like sand and |
| Toys, especially quality, long lasting wooden toys, are | | | | water activities, encourage children to explore, |
| essential to a child's proper growth and development. | | | | experiment, and investigate, all important parts of |
| An assortment of various wooden toys can help your | | | | problem solving. Wooden toys [ like board games, |
| child learn and develop skills in every area of | | | | blocks, and toys that support sorting and classification |
| development. | | | | skills are also helpful in cognitive development. |
| Fine and gross motor development are both vital | | | | Children develop language skills in almost everything |
| areas of development for a healthy, happy future. | | | | they do. Books and reading aloud are the leading way |
| Gross motor skills refer to the large muscles your child | | | | to enhance language development in your child. Daily |
| uses to walk, run, throw, and catch. Much of a child's | | | | story times are a vital part of healthy growth and |
| gross motor development takes place outside. | | | | development throughout childhood. Aside from reading |
| Outdoor play sets and wooden toys, like ride-on toys, | | | | and books, children expand their language skills through |
| pedal cars, and even doll strollers, are some of the | | | | pretend play and interactive play with others. Miniature |
| best toys to promote large muscle development. | | | | appliances, doll accessories, and play sets are just a |
| Fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the fingers | | | | few wooden toys that encourage imaginative play and |
| and wrists that allow us to write, cut with scissors, and | | | | enhance language development. |
| manipulate small objects with our hands. Fine motor | | | | Toys are also an essential part of a child's healthy |
| development correlates closely with the development | | | | social development. Children can use their toys to act |
| of hand and eye coordination. Art toys and supplies, | | | | out situations that have frustrated them, allowing them |
| like crayons, paint brushes, and weaving looms, aid in | | | | to work through new emotions in a safe and healthy |
| both of these areas of development. There are quite | | | | way. Puppet theaters are great wooden toys that |
| a few wooden toys that enhance fine motor | | | | allow young children to express their fears and work |
| development available as well. Wooden puzzles are | | | | out their social problems. Social skills are also learned |
| excellent toys for a broad range of skill levels. | | | | through cooperative play with others. Many of the |
| Wooden toys, like blocks and shape sorters, also | | | | wooden toys recommended to aid development in |
| promote fine motor development. | | | | other areas of growth also provide a number of social |
| Cognitive development includes most of the skills we | | | | benefits. Pretend play, board games, and outside play |
| use to learn, to think, and to work creatively. Things like | | | | all offer plenty of opportunity for social development. |