Roly-poly bat-at toys

Why your baby will enjoy this toy now:

As baby's eye-hand coordination improves, you may notice new abilities to reach and bat at toys, or even to lean over toward a fallen object. A toy that responds when baby bats at it will encourage developing skills while offering practice at balancing.

What you can do to help your baby learn more:

• Your baby is probably still playing on his back or tummy, and possibly trying to sit up. A roly-poly toy is perfect for this stage because baby can make it move without causing it to roll away. At first, make the action happen yourself so baby can see what it's all about, then watch what baby does in response.
• To encourage baby to move his developing muscles, put this toy within his view, at arm's length away. Baby will want to move toward it to get a closer look.
• Introduce a roly-poly toy when you're giving baby some tummy-time. Put it on the floor in front of him where he can easily see its bright colors when he lifts his head up. Baby can look at it and bat at it to make the intriguing action happen. Freshen the challenge by occasionally alternating it from baby's right side to his left.

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Toys that help develop a sense of self

Why your baby will enjoy this toy now:

He recognizes you visually now, and his ability to recognize others he's familiar with is increasing, too. Toys with mirrors are not only entertaining to him now (he loves to smile at other babies, especially the one in the mirror!)—they also promote facial recognition.

What you can do to help your baby learn more:

• Hold your baby on your lap and position this toy in front of you, as you would hold a book. If the design includes bold patterns or other interesting features in addition to the mirror, explore all sides of the toy with your child and describe what you see as you go.
• Take a peek into the mirror yourself so baby can see your reflection. Then hold it up to your baby's face so he can see his own reflection. Your baby probably won't recognize himself yet, but he will be fascinated with what he sees there!
• Tummy-time is important for developing neck muscles. To encourage your baby to play on his tummy longer, give him something to look forward to by placing the mirrored side of the toy within arm's reach for baby.
• It will be easy to find ways to bring this toy along on baby's travels throughout the day; move it from the crib to the stroller for sensory stimulation on the go. Or give baby something new to look at from his bouncer seat by putting this toy next to him on the floor.

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Hand-held musical toys

Why your baby will enjoy this toy now:

A realization that actions have results may be setting in. A toy that baby can shake or otherwise easily move for a delightful result—like music playing or fun sound effects—is sure to enhance that discovery.

What you can do to help your baby learn more:

• As baby advances to grasping and shaking toys, look for hand-held toys that are ready to reward his efforts with music and sounds. And at this stage, your child is developing a better understanding that his actions control the reactions (music and sounds) from the toy.
• Give your baby the opportunity to explore all of this toy's visual patterns, colors and textures. While you're holding baby on your lap, help support the toy and let him focus on whatever's particularly fascinating or silly to him at the moment. He'll benefit from it in many ways because there's so much about it that will stimulate his senses.
• Initiate the idea of object recognition and identification by pointing out the toy's features and labeling them with words. “Listen to the silly song he sings when you press his nose!”

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Activity toys

Why your baby will enjoy this toy now:

Activity toys are full of surprises just waiting to be uncovered by babies of this age, who are eager to learn more about their world. Each new sound or texture or spinning object offers a new discovery, encouraging exploration with hands, eyes, ears and mouth.

What you can do to help your baby learn more:

• Invite your baby to explore all of an activity toy's features by going through them together, helping him feel the different textures and activate the sounds and movements. All of this sensory stimulation prepares a memory bank of experiences that will continue to grow.
• Since such a toy is good for "anytime play," think of it when your baby is playing on his back or tummy and not just when he's sitting up. Baby won't be able to resist all the colors and actions that tempt him to reach out and touch. This will enhance his eye-hand coordination along with cognitive skills.

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