Toys for a Toddler's Sensorimotor Development

The Sensorimotor Stage, which is the first stage in psychologist and developmental biologist Jean Piaget's four stages of intellectual development, lasts from birth until age 2. This stage is characterized primarily by your child's exploration of the large and exciting world around him. It might be tempting to work with your child constantly to develop his learning skills, but the best way for children to learn, according to Piaget, is to play. Help your child foster his learning skills by purchasing toys that are fun and appropriate for this stage of development.

  1. Curiosity

    • Buy toys that encourage your child to play and explore openly. Different types and textures of foods, blocks of various shapes and sizes and art materials allow your child to use her imagination and make unique creations. Avoid buying toys that have a single purpose that might cause them to lose their appeal within minutes and eventually get found under the bed, in the back of the closet or at the bottom of the toy box. Find the toys that can be used in a number of ways and will hold your child's interest for days, rather than just minutes or hours.

    Learning Specific Toys

    • Boards with pegs, shape-sorting blocks and puzzles are all fun for a child to use for exploration during his first two years of life. As children watch their parents, they want to imitate their behavior to be just like mommy and daddy, so consider smaller versions of items such as cleaning supplies and tools. Purchase sturdy books with bright pictures and stories that will hold up to frequent use and play.

    Physical Movement

    • Toddlers and young children don't like to sit around all day long. They have plenty of energy and want to burn it off. Buy toys that encourage physical activity such as balls, sports equipment and toys that she can push, pull or ride on. Go for walks or play hide-and-seek in the yard. Play sets with swings, slides and other equipment also encourage your child to get up and moving as she builds coordination and perfects her motor skills.

    Safety

    • It is extra important to keep safety in mind during the sensorimotor stage, since your child is so young. Purchase toys that are labeled for use by children in his age range, and avoid any toys that have small detachable parts that pose a choking hazard. All art supplies should be labeled as nontoxic. Avoid yarn, string or anything long that can get wrapped around your child's neck.

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