Creative games and puzzles for the little ones

Children learn through play, and creative games and puzzles are an excellent tool to promote the development of cognitive, motor and social skills. In this article, we will discuss the different types of games and puzzles for toddlers that can be found in toy stores, and suggest how to choose the best educational toys for children of different ages.

Table of contents

1. Why are educational toys important?
2. Types of games and puzzles
3. Benefits of creative games and puzzles
4. How to choose educational toys?
5. How to introduce educational toys into everyday play?
6. Frequently asked questions

Why are educational toys important?

Educational toys play a key role in a child’s development. With them, children learn through play, developing their motor, cognitive and social skills. These toys help teach counting, color, shape and letter recognition, as well as develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. By choosing the right toys, parents can support their child’s development in an enjoyable and engaging way.

Types of games and puzzles

Wooden puzzles

Wooden puzzles are classic toys that enjoy enduring popularity. In fact, they are durable, safe and aesthetically pleasing. These puzzles help develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination and logical thinking skills.

Advantages of wooden puzzles

• DURABILITY: Wooden components are durable and can last for many years.
• Safety: wood is a natural material that does not contain harmful substances.
• Aesthetics: Wooden puzzles often have attractive designs and colors that attract children’s attention.

Manipulation boards

Manipulation boards are toys that contain a variety of elements for manipulation, such as locks, handles, buttons, slider, switches or gears. They help develop manual skills, motor coordination and cognitive abilities.

Advantages of handling boards

• Sensory stimulation: the variety of elements stimulates the child’s senses.
• Development of small motor skills: Manipulation of various elements develops the precision of hand movements.
• Self-reliance: encourage children to experiment on their own.

Sensory Cubes

Sensory cubes are toys that have a variety of textures, colors and elements for manipulation. What’s more, they may contain rustling fabrics, buttons, zippers, ribbons or rattles. Sensory cubes are excellent for stimulating the senses and developing motor skills.

Advantages of sensory cubes

• Sensory stimulation: A variety of textures and sounds stimulate baby’s senses.
• Development of small motor skills: Manipulation of various elements develops the precision of hand movements.
• Fun and learning: sensory cubes combine fun and learning, engaging the child in a variety of activities.

Board games for the youngest

Board games for toddlers are a great way to develop social, cognitive and motor skills. These games are age-appropriate for children, with simple rules and engaging elements such as pawns, cards and dice.

Advantages of board games for the youngest

• Social development: board games teach cooperation, communication and healthy competition.
• Cognitive development: these games develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Fun and learning: board games combine fun and learning, engaging the child in a variety of activities.

Montessori toys

Montessori toys are educational tools created in accordance with the principles of Montessori pedagogy. They are designed to support a child’s development at different stages of life, stimulating his natural curiosity and desire to learn. They are characterized by simplicity, aesthetics and functionality.

Advantages of Montessori toys

• Sensory stimulation: engage the child’s various senses.
• Small motor development: These toys promote the development of fine hand movements.
• Self-reliance: encourage children to explore and learn on their own.

Benefits of creative games and puzzles

Development of small motor skills

Small motor skills are the ability to make precise movements with the hands and fingers. Creative games and puzzles, such as manipulative boards, wooden puzzles and sensory cubes, promote the development of these skills, teaching children precision of movement and hand-eye coordination.

Development of cognitive skills

Cognitive skills include abilities related to thinking, problem solving, memory and concentration. In fact, educational games, puzzles and jigsaw puzzles help children develop these skills, teaching them to think logically, analyze and plan.

Social and emotional development

Social and emotional development is the ability to establish relationships, communicate and deal with emotions. In practice, board games and team games teach children cooperation, communication and conflict resolution. Children also learn to express and deal with their emotions, which is crucial for their emotional health.

How to choose educational toys?

Age of the child

When choosing educational toys, it is important to match them to the age of the child. Toys should be appropriate for the child’s developmental stage so that they are engaging and support the child’s skills.

Security

Safety is a key aspect when choosing toys for the little ones. In fact, toys should be made of safe, non-toxic materials and should not have small parts that can pose a danger to young children.

Materials

The materials from which toys are made are important for both their durability and safety. Natural materials, such as wood, are durable, safe and environmentally friendly. Moreover, avoid toys made of cheap plastics, which may contain harmful substances.

Topics

Toy themes should be interesting and engaging for the child. Choose toys that match your child’s interests and support his or her development in different areas, such as math, languages, nature or art.

How to introduce educational toys into everyday play?

Introducing educational toys into everyday play can be simple and fun. Here are some tips on how to do it:

1. Create a prepared environment: Make sure the space where the child plays is organized, aesthetically pleasing and full of educational materials. You can use bookcases and shelves to make all the toys easily accessible to your child.
2. Choose the right toys: Choose toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and abilities. Educational toys should be simple, functional and made of natural materials.
3. Give your child freedom: Let your child choose toys and experiment on his own. Don’t impose on them how they should play, but be ready to support them when needed.
4. Observe and support: observe how the child plays with toys and what skills he or she is developing. Support his development by providing him with new challenges and educational materials.
5. Build a routine: Introduce regular moments for play and learning so that your child has a consistent schedule and can focus on developing his or her skills.

Frequently asked questions

1. what are educational toys?

Educational toys are toys that promote the development of a child’s cognitive, motor and social skills. They help teach counting, color, shape and letter recognition, as well as develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. why invest in educational toys?

Educational toys promote a child’s development in an enjoyable and engaging way. Through them, children learn through play, developing their motor, cognitive and social skills. They are also an excellent tool to support learning and prepare a child for school.

3 What are the best toys for a 2-year-old?

The best toys for a 2-year-old include manipulative boards, simple puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, Montessori wooden toys and sensory cubes. These toys help develop motor skills and logical thinking.

4. what Montessori toys promote the development of small motor skills?

These types of toys, such as manipulative boards, puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and sensory cubes, are ideal for promoting fine motor development. They encourage children to manipulate objects and make precise movements.